Blog Tour: Tax Cut by Michele Lynn Seigfried (Jersey Shore Mystery Series) (Review/Guest Post/Giveaway)

About the Book

Tax Cut
(Jersey Shore Mystery Series)
2nd in Series
Cozy Mystery
Self Published (December 21, 2013)
E-Book File Size: 4066 KB
Print Length: 191 pages
ASIN: B00HGMKVGI

Synopsis:

You’ll L.O.L. because Municipal Clerk Chelsey Alton is at it again! Working for a government riddled with crime, she and her sidekick Bonnie investigate to find out the answer to the pressing question: Who killed Vinny Buttiglieri? She finds herself entangled with dangerous mobsters and corrupt politicians. She thinks she’s doing the right thing, but can she save herself when she becomes entrenched too deep in this Jersey shore mystery?

My Review

When single mom Chelsey Alton hears there is a job opening for a Municipal Clerk in Coral Beach, she quickly applies for the job. The council board members just as quickly vote to hire her, except for one, but the job is hers. Chelsey does have a few doubts about the job starting with the fact that the job is vacant because the previous Municipal Clerk is murdered. However, she puts that aside and delves into the job.

Chelsey learns there is an Administrative Assistant job opened as well after the previous assistant unceremoniously walked out. She recommends her friend Bonnie for the job and she gets hired too.

It doesn’t take long before Chelsey realizes something strange is going on in the town of Coral Beach from mysterious fires, murders, angry residents, mobsters and nasty board members. Determined to stay out of it, she finds just the opposite happens and she’s right in the middle of it.

What a great read this is! Each character was vividly portrayed. Chelsey is a strong heroine surrounded by a zany cast of characters. Her sidekick Bonnie keeps readers laughing. There are also stalkers, romantic interests and evil mobsters tossed into the mix. The story takes a million twists and turns and keeps you guessing to the end. I really enjoyed this well written mystery. Who knew being a Municipal Clerk could be so dangerous?

I haven’t read the first book, Red Tape, but it’s on my Kindle and I will definitely be reading it. Although Tax Cut is the second book, I felt it stood on its own. I didn’t feel lost as I read it, I jumped right in and I’m glad I did.





For reading challenges:
2014 ARC Reading Challenge
2014 E-Book Reading Challenge
Cruisin’ Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
Where are you reading? challenge (New Jersey)

FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Michele Lynn Seigfried is an award-winning novelist, children’s book author/illustrator and public speaker who was born and raised in New Jersey. In her mystery novels, she draws from her personal expertise in the area of municipal government, in which she has served for over 15 years in two different municipalities. She holds a B.A. in communication from the College of New Jersey with a minor in art. She obtained the Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2010. She also holds the Registered Municipal Clerk certification and Certified Municipal Registrar Certifications from the State of New Jersey.
 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MicheleLynnSeigfried
Webpage:  www.michelelynnseigfried.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/micheleseig
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MicheleSeig
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/MicheleSeig
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/micheleseig

Purchase Link
Amazon

Book 1 in Series

Author Guest Post

12 Tips for New Indie Writers

by Michele Lynn Seigfried

This past week, I shipped off a couple of my books to be judged for awards: Tax Cut, a mystery novel, and Nobody Bullies Bub, a children’s picture book. In the process, I decided to check the winners from last year. To my surprise, the books I found in one competition had few sales (judging by the sales ranking) and few, if any, reviews.

I started to wonder, “What does it take to get a good book noticed, other than book awards?” Being fairly new at writing, with only two novels under my belt, and four children’s books, I by no means am a marketing expert. But, I have found a few things that helped me get my first novel, Red Tape, noticed and I thought I’d share that information with other indie writers. I hope that you will find this list helpful, and I wish you the best of luck with your writing.

1. Do you have a Facebook author page? Twitter? Pinterest? Google Plus? LinkedIn? A website? An Amazon author page? An author email address? Don’t discount social media and the internet. I’ve set up accounts for all these sites. Some I use more than others. Facebook and Twitter are the two biggest ways I promote my books. Yes, it’s time consuming. No, there’s no cost. I’ve met dozens of new fans this way. Each new person who discovers my books is a person who may spread the word.

2. Are you running any giveaways? This is a great way to introduce your book to those interested in your book’s genre. As a new author, giving your book away is a great way to get unbiased feedback from new readers, and possibly reviews too. Offering other prizes, like gift cards, or promotional items is also terrific for getting noticed.

3. Are you networking with other authors? Other authors can provide valuable information about what has worked for them and what has not. Teaming up to cross promote each other’s work to your fans is another way to attract more readers. Try finding authors with the same writing style or genre. Ask them questions. Ask them if they would trade reviews with you. Most are eager to help others.

4. Are you doing any public speaking? Call your local libraries or other groups that have meetings, and ask them if you can do an author talk and book signing. Author talks are usually promoted in the newspapers and on the libraries’ websites, which is free promoting for you.

5. Are you exhibiting at book shows? My children’s books sell well at local craft shows held by the schools. Teachers and parents are eager to purchase books by local authors. I’ve been asked to do readings in the schools by teachers who found me at these shows. There are shoppers at these events that may never know you exist if it weren’t for your table at a show.

6. Are you writing press releases? I have to admit, that I’m not writing as many as I should, but there were newspapers that published my releases, which turned into library talks for me, which turned into numerous sales.

7. Are you actively seeking reviews? There are websites where you can offer your book as a “read for reviews,” where you give your book to someone at no charge in exchange for an honest review. Recruit your friends and family too, asking them to post reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and/or Goodreads.

8. Have you considered purchasing advertising? I know this is difficult for many self-published authors, who have a limited budget. If you can afford it, there are many avenues for paid advertising—Goodreads, Facebook, Kindle Nation Daily, and Amazon to name a few.

9. Are you signed up for the Kindle Select Program? While this option isn’t for everyone, it can be a great tool to use with their countdown deals and free kindle days. The upside is more downloads for your book. The downside is you can’t place your book in ebook format on any other sites.

10. Have you signed up for any virtual book tours or asked bloggers to get the word out for you? During a virtual book tour, bloggers will host you on their webpage for a book promo, interview, guest post, book excerpt or book review. It’s a terrific way to get the word out to readers who like your genre of book.

11. Have you purchased any promotional items? Bookmarks, business cards, key chains, and other promotional items help spread your name and the names of your books. If nothing else, I would highly recommend having a business card. When you are out in public, you may have people that say, “Oh, I’ll download the book when I get home.” Handing them a business card will help the person remember your name and get the spelling correct in order to find the book they want to download. Business cards also come in handy when people you’ve met in person ask how to contact you to do a book talk, interview, etc.

12. Are you promoting your next work, before it comes out? Create a buzz! I’ve read over and over that authors should be promoting for months before their book’s release. It makes sense to introduce people to your work ahead of time and let them know what’s to come. If you’ve never published a book before, it’s a smart move to start getting Twitter and Facebook followers before your book is released. You can release excerpts ahead of time, generating interest for future sales.

Tour Participants

February 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review, Guest Post
February 13 –
February 14 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview
February 15 – readalot blog - Review, Giveaway
February 16 – Community Bookstop – Review, Giveaway
February 17 – Darla King Series – Review
February 18 – rantin’ ravin’ and reading – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
February 19 – Socrates’ Book Review Blog – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway
February 20 – Dr. Pepper Diva – Review, Giveaway
February 21 – dru’s book musing – Guest Post
February 22 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Giveaway

BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!

Now you can win a Kindle copy of Tax Cut by Michele Lynn Seigfried (gifted through Amazon.com). Thanks to the author and Great Escapes Tours, I have one to giveaway to one lucky winner.

Just a few simple rules...

1) You must fill out the form below.

2)  For one extra entry:  Follow this blog.

3)  For one extra entry:  Leave a comment for the author.


The giveaway begins on February 19th (midnight est) and ends on February 26th (midnight est).

The winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

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