From Me to You ... Video, Photography, and Book Reviews: 05/01/2018

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Thursday, May 31, 2018

Week #13 of When & Where am I Wednesday | #BookTuber #BookBlog @RuthyWrites @lynne__graham

WHEN & WHERE AM I WEDNESDAYS are a weekly bookish memes, hosted by Jess of From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews. Anyone can play along! To participate here's what you need to do:

Based on the book your currently reading -- tell us when and where you are in your book, and possibly what "you're" (meaning the characters) doing or who "you" (meaning the characters) are with.
Try NOT to include spoilers!!!
Make sure to share the book information [title, author and/or book cover] so if someone likes what you write they can add that book to their TBR list.

Cocktales by The Cocky Collective | Spreading the Word #cockygate #fightlikearomancereader

Today I'm showing off The Cocky Collective's "Cocktales" and sharing my on-going (at least until I officially read through it all) reading vlog for this anthology.

My Cocktales - Reading Vlog

If you can't see/watch the above video then click here to watch it.
👉 Even though Jess is doing the reading vlog and rating the individual novellas STAY TUNED for her official book review for the full novel once she completes reading it all. 👈

"Cocktales"
by The Cocky Collective
Author's Book Description :

'Cocktales' is a limited-release anthology (available *only* from May 26 – August 26, 2018) of original, never before published material, some of which is raw and unedited. Each story was specifically written for this anthology.

*ALL* net profits will be donated to:

Disclaimer: This anthology is not being conducted on behalf of RWA, nor does RWA endorse this anthology or effort. They have, however, graciously agreed to accept the funds.

Matilda mentions my BookTube account in her video! SO .. this is a post showing off that video and giving you a meet-and-greet of Matilda's BookTube Account.

Authors, Book Reviewers, Book Readers are you aware of this Trademark Crisis? | Fangirling @kneupperwriter, #fightlikearomanceauthor, @SuzanTisdale, & @BSommerland

I had really high hopes ... but people are being crazy. And it seems like some are staying that way ...

If you are not YET familiar with #CockyGate please check out my previous posts so you can be updated:

Now in Recent News ...
- Click This Tweet to Find Out More -

Here's the legal threat I received from her lawyer. Personal details about lawyers omitted because I'm that much of a stand-up guy (everybody deserves a lawyer and no qualms with someone doing the job).

Prepping up the docs I received soon. pic.twitter.com/bFOQMUSvPG
— Kevin Kneupper (@kneupperwriter) May 25, 2018

If you can't see/watch the above video then click here to watch it.

Find out more about this novel & BUY NOW!!

For reasons I cannot disclose, I encourage to you pre-order the Cocktales Anthology ASAP.

And that's all I'm going to say about that.https://t.co/oYcf9U1pwc
— Penny Reid (@ReidRomance) May 25, 2018

Nice article from @MaryDube_, a fellow Texan-in-exile in CA and journalist for USAToday, about the "(CENSORED)tales" anthology. I hope she keeps following the story of this anthology - she may have to write a new one very soon!https://t.co/JWCTJlELp9
— Kevin Kneupper (@kneupperwriter) May 25, 2018

All proceeds to COCKTALES goes to fighting trademark bullying and creative obstruction. Going live at midnight on all platforms. COCKTALES Collective. 40 authors #fightlikearomanceauthor
— Aleatha Romig (@AleathaRomig) May 26, 2018

I can't wait!! I'm thinking of #vlogging it 🤔 Please support!! Get it here: https://t.co/0pST0LD880 #BookRecommendations #cockygate pic.twitter.com/7fwggrlRyz
— Jess@From Me to You (@fromjesstoyou) May 26, 2018

In light of the hashtags, #fightlikearomanceauthor + #fightlikearomancereader, The Cocky Collective has unleashed a Teespring upon you all. Other styles + MUGS available! Again, we do not profit in any way. https://t.co/cOS8Htr4Gg #cockygate pic.twitter.com/Q41HTHHV2C
— Emma Hart (@EmmaHartAuthor) May 26, 2018

#TeaserTuesday: Having the Rancher's Baby | @CathyMcDavid #BookTeaser #RomanceNovel

TEASER TUESDAY is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jess of From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews.
Anyone can play along! Just share a teaser from a novel you've previously read or are currently reading! Just do the following:

Grab the novel/novella your currently reading or previously read

Find a teaser/excerpt that you like from that novel/novella that is between a single sentence to three sentences to share

Write it out or create your own teaser meme too.

Share the novel/novella's title & its author, so that other participants can add that novel to their TBR Lists if they want

My #BookTube Thank You to the Book Lady | @LindaJoMartin

Linda mentions and talks about my BookTube account in her video! SO .. this is a post showing off that video and giving you a meet-and-greet of Linda's BookTube Account.

Here's Your Morning Cocky Update ... | Fangirling @SashaWhite

I've been busy with client stuff so I had been out of the loop for a day or two ... but Sasha White has an update for us all ... so here you go!

If you can't see/watch the above video then click here to watch it.

My #BookTube Thank You to Steph's Rom Book Talk | @Stef_uncensored @steph814carder

Stephanie mentions my BookTube account in her video (towards the end). SO .. this is a post showing off that video and giving you a meet-and-greet of Stephanie's BookTube Account.

Who's Getting Cocky Now? Find out here because there is a Rebellion brewing ... | Fangirling #thisishowyouindie, @kneupperwriter, @selfpubwithdale, @BSommerland, & @MistressofReads

I hope I'm not loosing anyone here because of these posts but I feel obligated to share the knowledgeable information (as much as I can keep on top of) about the CockyGate fiasco. It seems a bit crazy to me that we have to keep talking about it because it is not going away ... at least not easily ... mostly because (as Bianca Sommerland calls her) the Trademark Troll doesn't seem to want to drop the issue (her Cocky trademark). So here is more info for you about what else has been going on so Jess can keep you updated ...
First though I want to show you the GOOD that has happened because of this fiasco and it is called #thisishowyouindie! Below is the live twitter feed for that hashtag. 🙂
#thisishowyouindie Tweets

Okay NOW for the FIASCO, opps! I meant COCKYGATE updates!

Jess is ALL about the #ThisIsHowYouIndie and #AuthorSupport | Fangirling @AuthorEYork, @jessicabfry, @LMBrownAuthor, @eBookBuilders, & @Jenny_Trout

Over the past few days I've seen a lot of author reactions over on twitter about this CockyGate fiasco ... and it is RIGHTFULLY SO ... this is TERRIBLE and should NOT happen for ANY common words. I feel like everyone in the book world NEEDS to be on top of this to some degree so like many people I was VERY happy when I found out that CockyBot was created. And if you want to stay on top of it I say check out their link OR go here to see their feed on my blog.

But what this blog post is TRULY about is my sharing of some new-to-me authors who have decided to be more open about this fiasco that is happening. Also ... be sure to check out Cassie Sharp's "Open Letter to Faleena Hopkins" here. So ... here we go ... and be sure to check out the end of this post to see the video the Trademark Troll had previously posted on her Facebook page but deleted off ...

Week #12 of When & Where am I Wednesday | #BookTuber #BookBlog @CatherineMann1

Based on the book your currently reading -- tell us when and where you are in your book, and possibly what "you're" (meaning the characters) doing or who "you" (meaning the characters) are with.
Try NOT to include spoilers!!!
Make sure to share the book information [title, author and/or book cover] so if someone likes what you write they can add that book to their TBR list.

We're Getting A Bit "Cockier" on #teamfreethecocky | Fangirling @NASTYGALREVIEWS

While I would LOVE to rant about this whole #CockyGate topic because I feel Ms. Hopkins is a very wishy-washy person in her actions and verbiage, as I was saying earlier today. Especially after all the information we were talking about yesterday I can definitely say she has portrayed herself to be an unreliable source for yourself (which is sad). But her lies just keep coming. THEREFORE, I am so happy I found out about NASTY GAL BOOK REVIEWS as they are staying on top of this situation and report it beautifully!!

We're Getting "Cocky" Over Here ... | Fangirling @MistressofReads @BSommerland @SashaWhite @CasSharpAuthor

I would LOVE to report about this "Cocky" talk on my YouTube/BookTube account. However, I know I am not eloquent enough to get all of the facts straight for this fiasco so I am soo happy that I found some wonderful ladies to do so for me!!

Therefore I am THRILLED when I found these videos from Mistress of Reads, Bianca Sommerland, & Sasha White ... please check them out below.
ALSO as I was putting together this blog post I was notified through twitter about another AMAZING blog post that was posted. And because it is soo good and well-written I am sharing Cassie Sharp's open letter below too.
Some of Jessica's Thoughts First ...

An author I'd never heard about before (@FaleenaHopkins) thought others were copying her so she trademarked the word Cocky (as it's in her book titles) and is now telling other authors who've used the word that they need to change their novel's titles. ☹😡 Truly a bad move.
— Jess@From Me to You (@fromjesstoyou) May 5, 2018

You know what she did in this varied erotic area of romance novels is the equivalent of someone trademarking "cozy" in titles from the mystery genre. Or the equivalent of trademarking "Amish" for the romance genre. #cockygate #byefaleena pic.twitter.com/od9ENlROBE
— Jess@From Me to You (@fromjesstoyou) May 8, 2018

Sad to say though I believe the "publicity stunt" part because I searched "cocky" in Amazon and for like the first two pages it's mostly her books 😞 #cockygate #byefaleena
— Jess@From Me to You (@fromjesstoyou) May 8, 2018

I'm considering doing a #CockyGate video series. I will read/review a book that has the word COCKY in the title OR has an author that wants to join who's created a fake book cover w/ a changed book title. I'm ONLY taking submissions from authors though. Submit away if interested!
— Jess@From Me to You (@fromjesstoyou) May 6, 2018

My #BookTube Thank You to Tati The Tiny BookTuber | @TinyBookTuber

Tati mentions my BookTube account in her video (towards the end). SO .. this is a post showing off that video and giving you a meet-and-greet of Tati's BookTube Account.

Second Sentence Saturday: Beyond the Stars | @StacyWiseBooks #BookTeaser #RomanceNovels

SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jess of From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab the novel/novella your currently reading or previously read

Open to the first page of Chapter 1 or its Prologue

Share the SECOND sentence from that page

Share the novel/novella's title & its author, so that other participants can add that novel to their TBR Lists if they want

MY Second Sentence Saturday :

"Beyond the Stars" by Stacy Wise - [Amazon Book Link]

He snorts, and I stare straight ahead, willing the red light to change to green.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT to share either the link to your own SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY post or share the sentence in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thank You!

If you want to assist Jess, here's what you can do :

FOLLOW Jess' blog and/or any of her social accts (the options to do that are on this website's sidebar)
COMMENT on this blog post
SHARE this blog post Any and Everywhere!

Friday, May 4, 2018

Are Goodreads Reviews REALLY for the authors? | And Jessica's Fangirling Anne R. Allen / @annerallen

This morning I was in a Twitter Discussion about "are Goodreads Reviews REALLY for the authors." My standpoint (which will never change no matter what you say) is that any review (good or bad) about the book it is listed as a review for IS FOR THAT AUTHOR too. It is for readers yes, of course BUT it is supposed to be a book review about the authors novel and I wholeheartedly believe that book reviews are always 50% about the reviewer's thoughts and personal issues .. and 50% about the novel itself. I mean a prefect example of this would be my review for Joan Kilby's "The Secret Son." Also, as an author assistant for the past 2 years, I understand that EVERY review matters .. even those over on Goodreads. Therefore, after this morning's discussion, I went on a google search & I saw a LOT of opposing viewpoints. Yet, I found this one that I seem to agree on ALL this author's points & really liked her tips. So, I am deciding to share ...

2018 100+ Reading Challenge

Check out my previous challenges :

2017 100+ Reading Challenge	2016 100+ Reading Challenge	2015 100+ Reading Challenge
2014 100+ Reading Challenge	2013 100+ Reading Challenge	2012 100+ Reading Challenge
2011 100+ Reading Challenge		2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Helpful Quick Genre Emoji Index :

	🖼️ Children's Book

Alrighty ... here's my personal challenge .. or more of a record of how many books I have read in 2018. And I am already starting off poorly because of life things but oh wells. *hahaa* Anyway ... here we go:

-- April 2018 --

"Cooper's Bedtime" by Hallmark & Stacey Donovan / Illustrated by Crista Couch 🖼️

-- July 2018 --

"More Than Meets the Eye" [The Patchwork Family Series, Book 1] by Karen Witemeyer

* If you would like to know what I think about the books I didn't share my ratings or reviews with you about, than leave a comment about which one you want info on and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Jessica's When & Where am I Wednesdays :

Jessica's Regular & Reread Book Reviews :

If you want to assist Jess, here's what you can do :

COMMENT on this blog post
FOLLOW Jess' blog and/or any of her social accts (the options to do that are on this website's sidebar)
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LIKE, COMMENT, REBLOG, and/or SHARE Jess' Tumblr POST: Click here to support
LIKE, COMMENT and/or RETWEET Jess' Twitter POST: Click these to support ... Tweet #1 | Tweet #2 | Tweet #3 | Tweet #4

Jess' has a goal (every year) of #reading 100+ Books ... check out her 2018 reading list (that will grow and change as the year progresses): https://t.co/eHbIekZTfs

FOLLOW along. SHARE! Join the fun! #BookTubers #BookBloggers pic.twitter.com/RzaBg833Uy
— Jess@From Me to You (@fromjesstoyou) May 2, 2018