Just Contemporary Romance: True Friends Are Priceless
Just Contemporary Romance: True Friends Are Priceless: With: Marie Lavender I’ve been writing stories since I was about nine years old. In most of them, a minor character – a friend – was ...
Some Authors Are Shifting Away from Amazon — Why?
I've been seeing a trend for a while. There are authors - apparently popular ones, for that matter - who have decided to forgo using the usual bookseller sources, and release their books exclusively on their own websites, sometimes with subscription-based services.
Being a reader of romance too, I occasionally come across these authors after a newsletter sign-up. Except, suddenly I can't find their book title on Amazon, and I am forwarded to a website that, for all intents and purposes, is professional, but makes the reader in me cringe.
Why?
Why, indeed. Why should I be forced to move away from my beloved Amazon, or in lieu of that, avoid every other possibility to use some random website that might collect my personal information and sell it to the highest bidder?
Am I paranoid? Exaggerating?
Perhaps. Yet, there's a grain of truth to this line of thought. I doubt I'm the only book reader who has clicked off an author's wares just because they don't offer your preferred format or they use a resource you're unfamiliar with.
Is this method of abandoning Amazon and other booksellers successful? I imagine it works for some. But for most authors, we must bite the bullet and go with what our audience wants. Is the Zon annoying with their strange policies sometimes? Sure. And royalties that come from 'pages read' on Kindle Unlimited are a significant risk, granted that someone who purchases the book actually opens it. But we muddle through the chaos to offer enough comfortable formats to appeal to our fans. Whether you have an e-reader or just prefer a print copy, you can often find each type of book at different retailers.
Would you be willing to ignore the typical places and try a random author's website to retrieve your copy of a new release? Hmm...for myself, probably not without some guarantees, such as a discount promo code for the first purchase. I mean, I don't shy away from PDF or mobi copies; God knows I've found a ton of books through Rafflecopter giveaways and Bookfunnel. But I still become wary of an impending scam when an author cannot be found at any retailer other than their own website.
Maybe it's just me. But even as a fellow author, if better sales are the only reason to move away from Amazon, then why get into writing in the first place? Isn't it about passion, telling a story? Don't you want your audience to actually read the book?
So, you tell me as the reader. Where do you most frequently buy books? Answer through the poll below...
And if you just happen to have used these exclusive website deals on authors' official sites, then let us know in the comments. Are you still hesitant, or did you get accustomed to the approach? Or, if you're an author too, would you try this method, or do you agree with me? Why?
I look forward to reading all about your thoughts on this topic!
Being a reader of romance too, I occasionally come across these authors after a newsletter sign-up. Except, suddenly I can't find their book title on Amazon, and I am forwarded to a website that, for all intents and purposes, is professional, but makes the reader in me cringe.
 |
Photo by Dmitry Ratushny on Unsplash
|
Why?
Why, indeed. Why should I be forced to move away from my beloved Amazon, or in lieu of that, avoid every other possibility to use some random website that might collect my personal information and sell it to the highest bidder?
Am I paranoid? Exaggerating?
Perhaps. Yet, there's a grain of truth to this line of thought. I doubt I'm the only book reader who has clicked off an author's wares just because they don't offer your preferred format or they use a resource you're unfamiliar with.
Is this method of abandoning Amazon and other booksellers successful? I imagine it works for some. But for most authors, we must bite the bullet and go with what our audience wants. Is the Zon annoying with their strange policies sometimes? Sure. And royalties that come from 'pages read' on Kindle Unlimited are a significant risk, granted that someone who purchases the book actually opens it. But we muddle through the chaos to offer enough comfortable formats to appeal to our fans. Whether you have an e-reader or just prefer a print copy, you can often find each type of book at different retailers.
 |
Photo by Perfecto Capucine on Unsplash
|
Would you be willing to ignore the typical places and try a random author's website to retrieve your copy of a new release? Hmm...for myself, probably not without some guarantees, such as a discount promo code for the first purchase. I mean, I don't shy away from PDF or mobi copies; God knows I've found a ton of books through Rafflecopter giveaways and Bookfunnel. But I still become wary of an impending scam when an author cannot be found at any retailer other than their own website.
Maybe it's just me. But even as a fellow author, if better sales are the only reason to move away from Amazon, then why get into writing in the first place? Isn't it about passion, telling a story? Don't you want your audience to actually read the book?
 |
Photo by Amanda Jones on Unsplash
|
So, you tell me as the reader. Where do you most frequently buy books? Answer through the poll below...
And if you just happen to have used these exclusive website deals on authors' official sites, then let us know in the comments. Are you still hesitant, or did you get accustomed to the approach? Or, if you're an author too, would you try this method, or do you agree with me? Why?
I look forward to reading all about your thoughts on this topic!
Top Winery Destinations for Couples by Rebecca Siggers
Top Winery Destinations for Couples:
a guest post by Rebecca Siggers
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| Photo by Roland Dumke from Pexels |
Wine is the most romantic drink in the world. It is a classic drink to celebrate your love as it adds the intensity to your love and passion. Apart from being the ideal celebration drink, wine is also one of the healthiest alcoholic beverages. Wine has its mark in almost all the countries of the world, and that is why every country has a distinct flavor of the wine to serve you. Making premium wine is an art, and you would not want to miss out on this out-of-the-world experience.
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Photo by Jim Harris on Unsplash
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Below
is a list of the top winery destinations around the world that you need to
visit with your better half.
1. NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, THE USA: The
world-famous wine destination, Napa Valley is home to some of the most
exquisite wineries. The hills give the vineyards a pleasant view that makes it
very romantic for couples.
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Photo by Daniel Salgado on Unsplash
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Napa Valley produces the best Ciroc
and Merlot. You can walk from one winery to the other because of the
spectacular weather and walkable distances between the wineries. However, for
visiting the wineries and tasting wines, you need to take appointments. The
owners of the vineyards also brief you about the history of the vineyards and
how they make some of the most exquisite wines in the whole world.
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Photo by Scott Warman on Unsplash
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2. MENDOZA, ARGENTINA: Argentina is famous amongst the whole world
for serving exquisite wines. The Mendoza region in Argentina is the
fastest-growing area for producing wine in the world. The location of the
vineyards in Mendoza is at high altitudes and the reason why most couples love
to visit Mendoza. The vineyards do not get enough rain, and the water that they
get is from the glaciers that keep melting. The Mendoza region is home to three
wine-producing valleys, namely, Uco Valley, Lujan De Cuyo, and Maipu Valley. If
you want to visit all these valleys, you need to have time for two days so that
you can enjoy exotic wines like Frangelico and Malbec.
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| Photo by Mali Maeder from Pexels |
3. TUSCANY, ITALY: Tuscany is the epitome of beautiful hills and
classic Italian wines. Couples love visiting Tuscany because it is the ultimate
place for wine, romance, and romantic fine-dines. Many historic castles of
Tuscany are not beautiful wineries which you would not want to miss. You will
find food and wine lovers from all over the world and get to try some of the
tastiest wines in the world. When in Tuscany, you need to visit the small towns
like Lucca and Siena to get a sense of the local life in Tuscany.
Chianti is
the most famous wine of Tuscany, and you should have it with tasty Italian food
when you visit the Chianti region of Tuscany. When tasting the wines in
Tuscany, the owners of the wineries will introduce you to the history and culture
of Tuscany.
4. BAROSSA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA: The beautiful Barossa
Valley is an hour's drive from Adelaide in Australia. You will find plenty of
wineries in this region that produce delicious Riesling wines and Shiraz. One
reason why you will love the wineries in this valley is that they offer free
tours to the visitors, complimentary wine tasting on the site, and you can also
avail tempting food in the restaurants of these wineries. You should check out
the oldest winery, which is the Yalumba winery run by an Australian family.
Another winery that you should not miss out is the Seppeltsfield Winery because
it serves authentic Australian wines. If you plan to visit Western Australia,
you should visit the Margaret River wine region for some marvelous chardonnay
and cabernet sauvignon.
5. BORDEAUX, FRANCE: The second most visited place in France,
Bordeaux is also the most famous wine region of the country. The winemaking of
this place has a history in itself. Bordeaux also houses some of the chicest
hotels and cafes that will make your trip even more romantic. It would be great
if you plan to visit Bordeaux in the month of June so that you can attend
Bordeaux Fête le Vin, the wine festival of Bordeaux. Apart from that, when you
are in Bordeaux, you should also check the Musée d’Aquitaine for the local art
of the region, Musée du Vin et du Négoce for learning about wine, and you
should visit the Sunday market for shopping.
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| Photo by Paweł L. from Pexels |
6. BASQUE COUNTRY, SPAIN: The most rugged, trendsetting, and beautiful
region of Spain has some of the best wines in the whole of Europe. The regional
chefs of Basque make delicious seafood that tastes even more delicious with the
local wine. When visiting Basque, you should visit all the small coastal towns.
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Photo by Rubén Moreno on Unsplash
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You will be very close to the beaches where you can sit and enjoy local food
and wines. The Zumaia town offers some spectacular views of the vineyards,
while the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe makes you climb the steps of the church to
see the vineyards. The best time for visiting the Basque country is during
Spring, and you should definitely try the Txakoli wines while you are in Basque
Country.
7. WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON: Oregon is a country in
itself when it comes to making some of the best wines. It has some astounding
regions that solely produce wines, and one such region is the Willamette
Valley. Willamette Valley is not just about wine; it is good for outdoor
adventure, food, and travel. The widely loved wines of this magnificent wine
region are Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
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Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash
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The wineries that you should check out
when you are in the Willamette Valley are Bergström and Adelsheim because these
wineries use organic techniques that you would want to learn and try out. The
vineries in Oregon also feature live music concerts and food trucks for the
visitors.
8. FRANSCHHOEK, SOUTH AFRICA: A dream destination for
couples and a paradise for wine lovers, Franschhoek lies amidst the gorgeous
mountains in the district of Cape Winelands. The village is full of vineyards
where you can relish all kinds of exotic wines like the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay,
Shiraz, and Semillon. There are a lot of notable vineyards in this village,
like La Motte, Chamonix, Solms- Delta, Allee Bleue, etc. that you should visit
when you come to Franschhoek.
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Photo by Matthijs van Schuppen on Unsplash
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When you are visiting the vineyards in
Franschhoek, you can also enjoy activities like grape picking, chocolate
making, wine tasting, and olive picking. The best time to visit Franschhoek
lies between September to February.
9. MOSELLE VALLEY, GERMANY: The Moselle Valley in
Germany is full of majestic castles, a soothing river, and some magical hills.
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Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash
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The scenic beauty of the Moselle Valley is enough to get you and your partner
drunk in love. The Moselle Valley contributes to the best Rieslings in the
world. The best part about visiting the wineries in Moselle Valley is to enjoy
the wine amidst the beautiful surroundings. For some of the most excellent
wines, you should visit Weingut Van Volxen, Weingut Vollenweider, Weingut Willi
Schaefer, and Weingut Clemens Busch regions in the Moselle Valley. You will
also see a lot of hikers in these regions because of the steepness of the
vineyards. The best time to visit the Moselle Valley is from September to
October, where you can enjoy a sample of around 160 types of wine and have the
time of your life.
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| Photo by Maria das Dores from Pexels |
10. DOURO VALLEY, PORTUGAL: The Douro Valley in
Portugal has vineyards from the 18th and 19th-century that rise above the
magnificent Douro River. The port wine and Vinho Verde white wine are very
famous in the Douro Valley. Couples will enjoy the historic wine tasting in
these regions as the wineries of this region come under the UNESCO World
Heritage site. You can also enjoy some unique table wines made from special
varieties of grapes. The historic wineries that you need to visit when you are
in the Douro Valley are Quinta da Pacheca, Quinta das Carvalhas, and Quinta de
La Rosa. You also can get on a wine cruise for exploring the whole region on
water. The best time for visiting the Douro Valley is early October or late
September.
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Photo by Jeremy Lwanga on Unsplash
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With so many vineyards
and wines to taste, there is a lot that each and every country offers to its
visitors. In the modern world, wine is an essential part of everyone's life and
people enjoy indulging themselves in several activities that revolve around
wine. Be it wine tasting, grape picking, or even grape crushing; couples are
more enthusiastic to visit the different wineries of the world just for their
love of wine. If you love wine and want to experience the world of fine wines,
you should visit these ten wineries to increase your love for wine.
What great places where couples can visit! :) Thanks, Rebecca.
Guest Blogger Bio
What great places where couples can visit! :) Thanks, Rebecca.
Guest Blogger Bio
Guest Blogger Bio
Rebecca Siggers is a working Designer and passionate writer. She enjoys writing about the latest fashion tips and lifestyle trends all around the globe. Through her writing, she hopes to influence as many people as possible to help out.
Guest Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/siggers_rebecca
Other Articles by Rebecca:
https://mystoryonline.org/7-style-tips-for-gentlemen-over-thirty/
https://aloha.com/blogs/nourish/6-organic-and-healthy-road-trip-snacks
https://www.teachworkoutlove.com/8-best-vacation-spots-for-military-families/
https://www.confettitravelcafe.com/7-must-visit-new-zealand-attractions/
https://greatlifezone.com/why-traveling-makes-you-a-better-person/
https://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/2019/11/08/6-fashion-tips-for-a-mans-first-date-a-guest-post-by-rebecca-siggers/ https://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/top-ten-amazing-gifting-ideas-for-new-year-2020-guest-post-article-by-rebecca-siggers.html
Thanks again, Rebecca! We hope to see you back on MLB sometime.
As always, happy reading, everyone! Have a great rest of your week! :)
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