Need a Scottish Fix? #FridayFiveChallenge Hamish Macbeth #Mystery, Would You BUY or PASS?

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READER’S Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

This week my search term was “Scotland”, as I’m off for a weekend in Glasgow visiting my dear friend Barb Taub and her “wee hobbit hoose.”

Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book Description

Now that Priscilla Halburton-Smythe has agreed to marry him, Police Sergeant Hamish Macbeth can’t imagine a more perfect life. There’s not much crime in his remote Scottish village of Lochdubh, nothing much at all to do but fish, drink coffee, and slouch around. And now to spend time with lovely Priscilla.

But his days aren’t as tranquil as his dreams. For one thing, Priscilla’s renovation schemes are driving him out of his cottage. Not to mention her ambitious plans for his career as a policeman away from Lochdubh. This might be a good time to find out why Peter Hynd’s arrival in nearby Drim was causing so much trouble.

An attractive, unmarried man with an independent income would always attract attention in such a small place. But this time Hynd’s arrival seems to have caused bitter rivalry among the women of Drim. Hamish finds their petty fights amusing and a clever excuse to avoid Priscilla and her schemes for a new electric stove (to replace his beloved woodburning appliance), a posh new bathroom, and virtuous nutrition. Amusing, that is, until death threats, physical abuse, and murder make statistical history in one of Scotland’s most picture postcard-perfect towns.

Price; £4.99 kindle, second hand hard covers from £2.81. $5.93 or a second hand copy from $4

Number of reviews; 44 Amazon Uk, 70 Amazon US

Would I buy or Pass?….Buy a second hand copy.

Analysis

The piper on the cover screams Scotland as does a name of Hamish Macbeth, an easy option for soaking up some Scottish charm.

Over to you….

Get yourself a cuppa and give yourself 5 minutes.

In today’s online shopping age, readers often base their buying decisions from small postage stamp size book covers (Thumb-nails), a quick glance at the book description and the review. How much time do they really spend making that buying decision?

AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

Here are links to other bloggers taking the challenge today.

Shelley searched for Witches and found Moon Bayou by J.R Rain

Cathy found a murder mystery Hunting The Crows by Iain Cameron

Cinderella Twist? #FridayFiveChallenge #Steampunk would you BUY or PASS?

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READER’S Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

This week I’ve been looking at STEAMPUNK a genre I’ve not read, but one I want to stretch my reading with.

The Curse Of Ash & Iron by Christine Norris

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book rescription

Benjamin Grimm knows the theater is much like real life. In 1876 Philadelphia, people play their parts, hiding behind the illusion of their lives, and never revealing their secrets.

When he reunites with his childhood friend Eleanor Banneker, he is delighted. His delight turns to dismay when he discovers she has been under a spell for the past 7 years, being forced to live as a servant in her own home, and he realizes how sinister some secrets can be.

She asks for his help, and he can’t refuse. Even if he doesn’t believe in ‘real’ magic, he can’t abandon her.

Ellie has spent the long years since her mother’s death under the watchful and unforgiving eye of her stepmother. Bewitched and hidden in plain sight, it seems no one can help Ellie escape. Not even her own father, who is under a spell of his own. When she sees Ben one evening, it seems he is immune to the magic that binds her, and her hope is rekindled along with her friendship.

But time is running short. If they do not find a way to break the spell before midnight on New Year’s Eve, then both Ellie and her father will be bound forever.

Price; £3.99 kindle UK or $4.99 Kindle US

Number of reviews; 2 Amazon UK and 24 Amazon US

Published May 2015

Would I BUY or PASS?…….BUY

Analysis

This genre is completely new to me so I have little to compare it will, I like the book cover, cogs and the era of yesteryear are part and parcel of this genre. One reviewer mentioned a Cinderella link and I spy the familiar surname of Grimm, which is linked to books, so I’m hopeful that this will be a good place to start on this genre.

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

Here are links to others taking part in today’s challenge

Shelley searched for Good Friday and found GoodFriday:Dreams & Nightmares by JR Wirth

Cathy searched for Druids and found Time’s Legacy by Barbara Erskine

Liz has been searching for Poison and found The Colour of Poison by Toni Mount

Discover African Authors #FridayFiveChallenge Would you BUY or PASS? BAHO by Roland Rugero @Phonememedia

Today I’m looking at African Authors

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READER’S Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

Every since I read about THE AFRICAN READING CHALLENGE I have been meaning to take a serious look into African authors, so this was my search term for this week’s #FridayFiveChallenge. When Amazon threw me thousands of African/ American authors I decided to search elsewhere first. I found this FANTASTIC article on the Literary Hub, 25 New Books By African Authors check it out if you fancy something different to read. It inspired me to choose the following book.

Baho by Roland Rugero is due to be published in English from March 15th 2016

Pre-order a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book Description

When Nyamugari, an adolescent mute, attempts to ask a young woman in rural Burundi for directions to an appropriate place to relieve himself, his gestures are mistaken as premeditation for rape. To the young woman’s community, his fleeing confirms his guilt, setting off a chain reaction of pursuit, mob justice, and Nyamugari’s attempts at explanation. Young Burundian novelist Roland Rugero’s second novel Baho!, the first Burundian novel to ever be translated into English, explores the concepts of miscommunication and justice against the backdrop of war-torn Burundi’s beautiful green hillsides.

Price; This is going to be published only in paperback at first priced £11.49 or $16.00

Pages; 160

Would I BUY or PASS?…….PASS at that price, but lower it and I could be persuaded to support an African author.

Analysis

I love this book cover, the running man, the greens, it is a picture to look at and see more parts as if studying a picture in an art gallery. The book description is very intriguing. I’m interested in African authors and part of me wants to ethically support this author, while my Western marketing eyes feel the price is not competitive with saturated book markets. For 160 pages I’m looking at a half price at least.

In today’s online shopping age, readers often base their buying decisions from small postage stamp size book covers (Thumb-nails), a quick glance at the book description and the review. How much time do they really spend making that buying decision?

AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

Here are links to other bloggers taking part in today’s challenge.

Shelley looks at a war time love story March: A Love Story In A Time Of War by Geraldine Brooks

Cathy found a contemporary read, Imaginary Things by Andrea Lochen

 

Chernobyl chain reaction? #FridayFiveChallege would you BUY or PASS? Exclusion Zone by J.M Hewitt

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READERS Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

In today’s online shopping age, readers often base their buying decisions from small postage stamp size book covers (Thumb-nails), a quick glance at the book description and the review. How much time do they really spend making that buying decision?

AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?

This week I looked into the popular “Crime” genre.

Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book Description

On 26th April 1986, reactor four exploded at the factory in Pripyat, Chernobyl.
At the same time teenager Afia Bello vanished from her home without a trace.

The damage from the nuclear fallout is examined over the following weeks, months and years by Afia’s younger sister Sissy, as she unwittingly uncovers clues relating to her sister’s disappearance, and the secret life that Afia kept hidden from her family.

In the summer of 2015 Private Detective Alex Harvey is hired to investigate the disappearances that have been occurring within the exclusion zone.

He can think of only one person to bring along with him to help; Ukrainian national Elian Gould.

Elian – who was adopted at birth – has her own reasons for accepting the job; namely to search for her own family history which has always been a mystery to her.

But the remaining citizens of Chernobyl are hiding their own secrets and with a darker force at work, the missing person’s case suddenly turns into something much more serious…

Exclusion Zone is a gripping thriller that will keep readers hooked to the last page.

Price: £2.99 kindle $3.99

Published in the last two weeks this book only has 2 reviews on Amazon.co.uk.

Would I BUY or PASS?……BUY

Analysis

The book cover grabbed my interest with its eerie green theme and the Chernobyl disaster happened in my memory. I once met someone who used to live on the fall out zone, so I’m interested to see where the author takes this storyline. The price is competitive in today’s saturated market. I would be willing to give this book a try.

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

 

Here are links to other bloggers taking part in today’s challenge.

Shelley has looked at YA fantasy Snow White Lies by Sarah J Pepper

Cathy went in search of kitchens and found ghosts. Ghostly Interests by Lily Harper Hart

Liz went in search of book covers featuring doors. The House With The Lilac Shutters by Gabrielle Barnby

Barb’s post got delayed without the internet, but is here now books and a cruise around the Med

#FridayFiveChallenge Would You BUY or PASS? Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READER’S Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

This week

On Tuesday I missed the parcel delivery man by minutes and he left a note saying hubby’s parcel would be left for us at the local post office for collection. A couple of hours later I power walked to collect the parcel, only to be told it wouldn’t be dropped of until after 3.00 pm. Wednesday I took a hour long round walk to include the post office to try again, this time I saw the parcel but I hadn’t thought to take any ID and so I left empty handed. I’m off later for a third time lucky attempt! So this week my search term thoughts were filled with “Parcels”.

I found…Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux

Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book Description

Nick O’Flaherty and Kelly Abbott had their happy ending in sight when a friend’s call for help almost ended with them losing it to the blade of a knife. Now, in the aftermath of near-disaster, both men are trying to heal and move on.

Moving on together, though, is harder than either of them realized it would be. Kelly struggles with simply being a lover instead of the Doc, while Nick is mired in his recovery. The distance between them inches along in stilted silence.

Desperately seeking solace, Nick finally gathers the courage to sort through the possessions his dear friend and fellow Sidewinder teammate Elias Sanchez left him when he died. Instead of comforting memories, Nick and Kelly find a stack of letters and strict instructions from Eli that prompt them to send out a call for assistance. With Eli’s letters in hand, Sidewinder sets out on one last mission together, seeking peace and absolution from beyond the grave—and from each other.

This book can be read on its own, or enjoyed as part of the Sidewinder series.

Price; Kindle £6.49 Paperback £14.99 $7.99 kindle $15.86 paperback

Number of Reviews; 7 x Uk 5* reviews, 64 on US with a high majority 5*

Would I BUY or PASS?…….PASS

Analysis

I chose the book because of the purple colouring (my favourite colour), although the picture depicts a letter rather than a parcel. I am a little confused by the book description, I’ve read it a couple of time and I’m not clear if the character called Kelly is male or female, the whole tone of the description doesn’t flow smoothly for me. Add to this an extremely high price for both kindle and paperback, it’s a gamble on a book I’m not prepared to take.

Over to you….

In today’s online shopping age, readers often base their buying decisions from small postage stamp size book covers (Thumb-nails), a quick glance at the book description and the review. How much time do they really spend making that buying decision?

AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

Here are links to fellow bloggers taking part in today’s challenge

Shelley has found a fun Witch novel. The Last Challenge by Sharon Karaa

Cathy has found a thriller. Behind Closed Doors by B.A Paris

Route 66 #RoadTrip #FridayFiveChallenge with the Big Yin Billy Connelly, Would You BUY Or PASS?

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READERS Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

In today’s online shopping age, readers often base their buying decisions from small postage stamp size book covers (Thumb-nails), a quick glance at the book description and the review. How much time do they really spend making that buying decision?

AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

Inspired by yesterday’s guest spot on Barb Taub’s blog, this week my search term was “RoadTrip”

Billy Connolly’s Route 66: The Big Yin on the Ultimate American Road Trip

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book Description

Britain’s best-loved comedian hits the most famous highway in the world on an unforgettable journey.

Billy Connolly, music-lover, biker, and scourge of the beige and bland the world over, has dreamed about taking a trip on the legendary Route 66 since he heard Chuck Berry belting out one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll records of all time. And now he’s finally had the chance to do it, travelling every mile on his custom-made trike in search of the real America that can still be found beyond the nation’s freeways.

Taking in both the essential icons and the hidden gems of the ‘Mother Road’, Billy also meets up with plenty of the memorable characters who call it home. With his instinct for a good story, and the infectious enthusiasm that has made him our most engaging national treasures, Billy Connolly is the ultimate guide to the ultimate road trip.

Price Kindle £6.99 or $8.44

Reviews; 58 from Amazon Uk and 15 from Amazon US

Would I BUY or PASS?……BUY

Analysis

Route 66 is legendary for RoadTrips and I’m a closet Billy Connolly fan, I’ve seen some of the TV series about this and I do prefer Billy when he doesn’t drop the F-bomb in every sentence, so this is more to my liking than his stand-up shows. Top this off with a leather jacket (I do love the smell of leather) and a Harley Davidson motorbike and I’m off visualising the trip. The book cover says it all, you know exactly what you’ll get.

Here are links to other bloggers taking part in this week’s challenge.

Shelley is admitting to her inner Crazy Cat Lady with The Winter Kitten by Linda Benson

Liz chose a YA book Salt Of The Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Cathy looked at Steampunk with an electrical them The Diabolical Miss Hyde by Viola Carr

Would You BUY or PASS? #FridayFiveChallenge THE CRIPPLED TANKER by D.A Rayner

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READERS Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

In today’s online shopping age, readers often base their buying decisions from small postage stamp size book covers (Thumb-nails), a quick glance at the book description and the review. How much time do they really spend making that buying decision?

AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

This week, I’ve been reading about a Greek God, so I used her name as my search term to see what interesting books I’d find in my search. My search term was “Hecate”.

The Crippled Tanker (HMS Hecate Book 1)

Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book Description

One U-boat against one destroyer would have been a fair — if deadly — match. But Captain John Murrell’s H.M.S. Hecate was towing a crippled tanker whose cargo was as dangerous as it was precious — four million gallons of high-octane gas!

The U-boat commander was desperate: his career depended on sinking the tanker. If he failed, the Luftwaffe would send new long-range Heinkels to destroy the Hecate and her tow.

Murrell’s cunning fight against incredible odds soon became a nightmarish eternity of cat-and-mouse moves and countermoves. His agonizing duel to the death makes this one of the most brilliant and memorable sea sagas to come out of World War II.

Price: Kindle £1.99 or $2.99

Number of reviews: Published last October it has 7 reviews on Amazon.co.uk and 1 on Amazon.com, all relatively positive.

Would I BUY or PASS?……BUY

Analysis

Not what I started out looking for at all with my Greek Goddess search term. This would be a gamble of a purchase, with the price tag being the lure rather than the book description and number of reviews. Does anyone else think “Hunt for Red October”? (Tom Clancy or the film) From the red book cover and book description? I am intrigued by this book, but wonder if my reading experience will be clouded by the successful film I am remembering? I don’t mind a bit of WW2 reading, so as I said above a gamble read for me.

Here are links to other bloggers taking part in today’s challenge.

Barb has found witty Urban Fantasy Half Way Dead by Terry Maggert

Cathy checked out Debut novels and found The Maker of Swans by Paraic O’Donnell

Shelley has gone for travel: A 1000 Places To See Before You Die by Patricia Shultz

#FridayFiveChallenge Would You BUY or PASS? SPRING by Skye Gyngell #CookBook

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READERS Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

In today’s online shopping age, readers often base their buying decisions from small postage stamp size book covers (Thumb-nails), a quick glance at the book description and the review. How much time do they really spend making that buying decision?

AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

As we moved into February this week my search term was “Spring” I’m not a winter lover so I always look early for signs of Spring and the promise of Summer. This book caught my eye straight away for it’s book cover.

Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book Description

Published to celebrate Skye Gyngell’s groundbreaking new restaurant in the heart of London, Spring presents a collection of mouthwatering original recipes from the new restaurant’s menu – beautiful breads and pasta dishes, exquisite seafood and meat dishes, colourful salads and vegetables, enticing ice cream and desserts, original preserves and refreshing non-alcoholic drinks. Crab salad with chilli, pumpkin, curry leaves and lime, Pappardalle with oxtail ragu, Guinea fowl with faro and parsley, Kimchi and Warm chocolate and espresso puddings are just a few of the delectable recipes on offer.

But Spring is much more than a collection of new recipes from this talented chef. It also provides a fascinating insight into the creation of the restaurant itself, from Skye’s first visit to the space at Somerset House, through the design and development of the site to the opening of the restaurant. She describes how the menu evolved, from the early days testing recipes in her kitchen at home to the opening in October 2014. She also reveals details about the other aspects that give the restaurant its unique character: the decor, art, staff uniforms, table settings etc.

Beautifully illustrated throughout with Andy Sewell’s evocative photographs, which capture the essence of Skye’s inspirational food as well as the dazzling atmosphere of the restaurant, Spring is set to become a classic.

Price; £19.24 Hardcover only $89.65 Hardback (used copies from $16.46

Number of reviews; 3 on Amazon.co.uk

This from one reviewer;

“I recently had a fantastic meal in Spring and was eager to buy the book. It is, like the restaurant, beautiful, and worth buying for the photography and background to the restaurant development – very interesting. I have also enjoyed Skye’s previous books.

However, I’ve only cooked one recipe,bitter chocolate and espresso cake, and discovered too late that the butter listed in ingredients had been missed from the method. The result ended up on the birdtable, as I frantically made something else before my guests arrived. Pretty poor editing, and doesn’t leave me with confidence for the rest of the recipes. ”

Will I BUY or PASS?…..PASS

Analysis

The book cover spoke “Spring” to me straight away, but it certainly didn’t shout cookbook, I thought more along the lines of dance. The review about the recipe edit, added to my decision as did the very hefty price tag, although it may compare with other recipe books and the photos will add to printing costs. Still I’m not a big cook book fan, I haven’t heard of the chef or the restaurant, so a PASS from me.

Here are links to other bloggers taking part in today’s challenge.

Barb has the results of last weeks US versus UK book cover Poll

Cathy has the 2015 Costa Book Awards winner The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

Shelley has a mystery The Exclusives by Rebecca Thornton

Liz went in search of a genealogical mystery and found Blood Tied by Wendy Percival

Paula’s found a book for picky eaters You Have To F**king Eat by Adam Mansbach

Would you BUY or PASS? #FridayFiveChallenge #Horror #YA THE GHOST FILES by @AprylBaker

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READERS Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

 

In today’s online shopping age, readers often base their buying decisions from small postage stamp size book covers (Thumb-nails), a quick glance at the book description and the review. How much time do they really spend making that buying decision?

AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

Recently I’ve been stretching my genre reading to cover new areas, today I bravely searched for HORROR.

Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book Description

Cherry blossom lipstick: check
Smokey eyes: check
Skinny jeans: check
Dead kid in the mirror: check

For sixteen year old Mattie Hathaway, this is her normal everyday routine. She’s been able to see ghosts since her mother tried to murder her when she was five years old. No way does she want anyone to know she can talk to spooks. Being a foster kid is hard enough without being labeled a freak too.

Normally, she just ignores the ghosts and they go away. That is until she see’s the ghost of her foster sister… Sally.

Everyone thinks Sally’s just another runaway, but Mattie knows the truth—she’s dead. Murdered. Mattie feels like she has to help Sally, but she can’t do it alone. Against her better judgment, she teams up with a young policeman, Officer Dan, and together they set out to discover the real truth behind Sally’s disappearance.

Only to find out she’s dealing with a much bigger problem, a serial killer, and she may be the next victim…

Will Mattie be able to find out the truth before the killer finds her?

Number of pages; 284

Price; FREE on Kindle – aha it’s those nifty YA genres again which have book #1 of a series free

Number of reviews; 456 Amazon Uk, 1141 Amazon.com

Would I BUY or PASS… BUY and I have just downloaded it.

Analysis

I chose the book from the cover and the book title, I like ghosts stories and mediums, the book description didn’t frighten me too much, hopefully it’s strong on the ghost side rather than the gruesome murders. I hadn’t spotted it was a #YA even with the teenager man character. Not until I saw the price and that it was one of a series and then I realised it was #YA. So for me this is a great introduction to horror, the #YA genre should keep the horror light enough for me to sleep at night. This genre of authors have book series sales down to a T, they offer the first book free to haul in the readers, get them hooked and then get them to pay for the subsequent books. I’ve downloaded my copy. Now I’ve seen the smaller tagline this series is “soon to be a movie” and as this book was published in 2013 it has probably already been made into a movie, I rarely match movies, so you’ll have to tell me readers if you know of it.

Other bloggers taking part in today’s #FridayFiveChallenge

Barb wants you to vote on book covers that differ for UK and US versions – vote here

Liz has found a book set in the tropics. The Separation by Dinah Jefferies

Shelley is looking at A Rick Riordan Book Big Red Tequila

Cathy has found Historical Romance Tame The Wild Wind by Roseanne Bittner

Megan has joined us this week and she’s looked at My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

Paula found a “Sugary” adult children’s book Liquor, Drugs and Sugar

VACATION Thoughts #FridayFiveChallenge Would you BUY or PASS? Fodor’s Utah

This fun feature is a mini workshop. We look at book covers just from their thumbnail pictures at online selling book sites and make quick fire buying decisions. We look from a READERS Point of View and this exercise is very EYE OPENING.

From the book cover we will browse the book description, price and some of the reviews BUT we only have 5 MINUTES.

WE PLAY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Join in and see where it leads.

Grab a coffee and spend 5 Minutes on this exercise.

AUTHORS – You often only have seconds to get a reader to buy your book, is your book cover and book bio up to it?

My Friday Five Challenge is this….. IN ONLY FIVE MINUTES….

1) Go to any online book supplier,

2) Randomly choose a category,

3) Speed through the book covers, choose one which has instantly appealed to your eye,

4) Read the book Bio/ Description for this book,

5) If there are reviews, check out a couple,

6) Make an instant decision, would you BUY or PASS?

(then write a little analysis about your decision)

Share your post, use #FridayFiveChallenge @rosieamber1 and I’ll help share all relevant posts.

I’ve just finished an article about holidays and my thought returned to Utah and it’s National Arch Monuments, I like what I’ve seen before and would like to return to explore more of the area, so my search term was Utah.

Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Book description

Fodor’s correspondents highlight the best of Utah, including awe-inspiring national parks from Arches to Zion, outstanding ski resorts like Deer Valley, and Salt Lake City’s cultural riches. Our local experts vet every recommendation to ensure you make the most of your time, whether it’s your first trip or your fifth.
MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS from the Great Salt Lake to Sundance
PERFECT HOTELS for every budget
BEST RESTAURANTS to satisfy a range of tastes
Useful FEATURES on outdoor adventures and drives
VALUABLE TIPS on when to go and ways to save
INSIDER PERSPECTIVE from local experts
MAPS AND COLOR PHOTOS to guide and inspire your trip

Price; £9.69 kindle £13.99 paperback

Reviews; 5 on Amazon US

one 3* review said;

“Wish it would have been more detailed about the different Canyons. Spent almost half the book on Salt Lake City area which I had been too before.”

Would I BUY or PASS? …..PASS unless I definitely know we are going.

Analysis

I chose the book for the book cover, Utah is the arches to me, but I want to explore more. I would buy a copy in paperback if I were booked to go there, Fodor have a good reputation and this book was published in 2015, so much of it would be up to date. A travel guide needs to be up to date to be of any use. I was concerned with the review which said much of the book was about Salt Lake City, we’re not city people, so I would want to know about the National parks, walks etc I’m not too bothered about the price for a non-fiction book, it will have lots of photos.

Here are links to others bloggers taking up today’s challenge.

Liz searched for Magic and found The House At The End Of Hope Street by Meena Van Praag

Shelley looked at upcoming releases and found Sleepless in Manhattan by SarahMorgan

Cathy is feeling the cold and found a thriller; Ice by Kevin Tino

Barb searched for LONDON and found a delicious book with wizards, Rivers Of London by Ben Aaronovitch

Paula searched for Andalucia and found a book by Lisa Marie Basile