Author Jessica Strong Memorial Campaign – Sunday follow up

I put up a post on Tuesday December 22, 2015 about the sudden passing of author Jessica Strong who I knew through the Clean Indie Reads Facebook group.

In that post I outlined that the Clean Indie Reads group is pushing an effort to get our membership that are interested to do a little something in memory of her. On December 26th, as a little remembrance / coordinated effort to do something to honor her passing, we are going to buy her books all on that day.

Yesterday, December 26, 2015 was the main kick off to the Jess Strong Tribute event.

My prior blog posts:

Bertie O’Brien and the Button Factory

John Henry and the Tornado

Unacceptable Behavior

Fearfully Made (Emma Shaw Book 1)

Reluctant Witness (Laura Cahill Book 1)

In $ We Trust (Laura Cahill Book 2)

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DIRECT LINKS TO HER BOOKS ON AMAZON

Bertie O’Brien and the Button Factory: How Bertie O’Brien built a button factory slaying monsters

John Henry and the Tornado

Unacceptable Behavior

Fearfully Made (Emma Shaw Book 1)

Reluctant Witness (Laura Cahill Book 1)

In $ We Trust (Laura Cahill Book 2)

 

Here is how things have gone with the effort:

It’s important to note that these rankings change hourly and that at certain points they are different. Additionally reporting is skewed from four to eight hours. 

In $ We Trust (Laura Cahill Book 2)

BEFORE
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,069 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#242 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Financial
#2739 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Police Procedurals
#4779 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Police Procedurals
———————————————-
RECENTLY
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,233 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#47 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Financial
#594 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Police Procedurals
#770 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Police Procedurals

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Reluctant Witness (Laura Cahill Book 1)

BEFORE the event
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,419 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#3232 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Crime Fiction
#7549 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Crime
#13630 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery
———————————————-
RECENT RANKING
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,694 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#259 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Crime Fiction
#729 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Crime
#1161 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

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Unacceptable Behavior

BEFORE the event
 Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,839 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#10972 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers
#15177 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery
#23248 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery
———————————————-
RECENT RANKING
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,089 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#1002 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery
#1104 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers
#1155 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

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Fearfully Made (Emma Shaw Book 1)

BEFORE the event
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,149 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#227 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Medical
#289 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Medical
#588 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > International Mystery & Crime
———————————————-
RECENT RANKING
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,179 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#62 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Medical
#68 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers & Suspense > Medical
#126 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Genetic Engineering

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John Henry and the Tornado

BEFORE the event
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,508 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#278 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children’s eBooks > Action & Adventure > Survival Stories
#1372 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children’s eBooks > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life
#5707 in Books > Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life
———————————————-
RECENT RANKING
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,171 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#34 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children’s eBooks > Action & Adventure > Survival Stories
#139 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children’s eBooks > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life
#583 in Books > Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life

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Bertie O’Brien and the Button Factory: How Bertie O’Brien built a button factory slaying monsters

BEFORE the event
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,740 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#1225 in Kindle Store >Kindle eBooks > Children’s eBooks > Science Fiction, Fantasy & Scary Stories > Fantasy & Magic > Sword & Sorcery
#2233 in Books > Children’s Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Spine-Chilling Horror
#10643 in Books > Children’s Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy & Magic
———————————————-
RECENT RANKING
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,438 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
#96 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children’s eBooks > Science Fiction, Fantasy & Scary Stories > Fantasy & Magic > Sword & Sorcery
#124 in Books > Children’s Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Spine-Chilling Horror
#1224 in Books > Children’s Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy & Magic

In $ We Trust (Laura Cahill Book 2) by Jessica Strong – Author

I put up a post on Tuesday December 22, 2015 about the sudden passing of author Jessica Strong who I knew through the Clean Indie Reads Facebook group.

In that post I outlined that the Clean Indie Reads group is pushing an effort to get our membership that are interested to do a little something in memory of her. On December 26th, as a little remembrance / coordinated effort to do something to honor her passing, we are going to buy her books all on that day.

As part of my own comments in that thread I said “I’d like to think we could get her to #1 with a coordinated effort such as this on Saturday 12/26…” “If I lived nearby and brought flowers or something to the family to say goodbye, I would spend so much more (and it would be equally worth it).”

So that is what I am going to do. I am going to log in at 9AM EST, “drop” $16.00, and get all her books.

Between now and then, I am going to showcase her books on my blog and on my author page over at Facebook.

This post is showcasing In $ We Trust (Laura Cahill Book 2)

SYNOPSIS: “Good morning, American! Meltdown!” Those were the words that greeted viewers as they turned on their TV’s on September 15th, 2008. The greatest recession since the great depression was announced.

Six years later when Gloria Moore had her own violent meltdown in a bank in New York City, four people were dead and another critically wounded. She told Assistant District Attorney Neal there needed to be accountability for the financial mess. She would plead guilty to whatever charges he brought against her as long as he investigated the cause of the market crash.

Reluctantly Barney Neal soon realizes that a jury may acquit once they know Gloria Moore’s personal story. If he wants to settle the case out of court, and keep markets steady, he will have to do as she asks.

Print Length is 342 pages, it was released on July 3, 2015 through Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (ASIN: B010Y0MAAS).

FOUR STAR REVIEW
Finance, Politics, and Suspense
By c-lu on July 21, 2015

Gloria Moore is an educated, upstanding citizen who, one day, after asking a question of a bank official, walks in an shoots 5 people, killing 4 and seriously injuring the 5th. Her biggest concerns are how her students will deal with what she has done and that she wasn’t able to take her own life. Even the cops who respond know from the start that there is something different about Gloria’s story. Asst. DA Laura feels the same, as does her boss, Barney. Gloria asks them to please investigate what happened in 2008 when the economy tanked and her husband committed suicide. Little do Laura and Barney know what they are getting into, or what they are dragging financial analyst Becky into. As Laura and Becky embark on a search for truth, they begin to realize that they may be stepping on political as well as financial landmines.

Strong provides the history of post-Depression Wall Street, the upside down mortgages and financial slight of hand that lead to the recession, and economic crisis for so many. She captures the emotions of those who were damaged in the process and their continued anger and resentment that no one person or persons was (were) held accountable. As Laura and Becky investigate, Strong adds the political climate, both in the police department with attempts to shut down the investigation and in Washington with powerful forces putting on the pressure locally The pressures only serve to increase the tension and make Laura and Becky more determined to find the answers they seek, potentially at significant personal cost. The main characters – Barney, Laura, and Becky, as well as Gloria – are well developed and multi-dimensional. Although the second in the series, this can be read as a stand alone.

Reluctant Witness (Laura Cahill Book 1) by Jessica Strong – Author

I put up a post on Tuesday December 22, 2015 about the sudden passing of author Jessica Strong who I knew through the Clean Indie Reads Facebook group.

In that post I outlined that the Clean Indie Reads group is pushing an effort to get our membership that are interested to do a little something in memory of her. On December 26th, as a little remembrance / coordinated effort to do something to honor her passing, we are going to buy her books all on that day.

As part of my own comments in that thread I said “I’d like to think we could get her to #1 with a coordinated effort such as this on Saturday 12/26…” “If I lived nearby and brought flowers or something to the family to say goodbye, I would spend so much more (and it would be equally worth it).”

So that is what I am going to do. I am going to log in at 9AM EST, “drop” $16.00, and get all her books.

Between now and then, I am going to showcase her books on my blog and on my author page over at Facebook.

This post is showcasing Reluctant Witness (Laura Cahill Book 1)

SYNOPSIS: Assistant District Attorney Laura Cahill is assigned a double homicide that quickly develops into the biggest drug ring case in New York City within a decade. The investigation not only reveals the unexpected, but also opens up the lives of everyone it touches. As Laura starts to fall for their key witness, a brilliant young doctor with secrets of his own, she is taught painful lessons that her serious tone of mind has spared her from learning. As skeletons start coming out of the closets, Laura sees that serving the law can sometimes subvert the course of justice. Can she find a way to keep the closet door closed and still live with her conscience?

Print Length is 295 pages, it was released on July 9, 2011 through Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (ASIN: B005C1GCAY).

 

Fearfully Made (Emma Shaw Book 1) by Jessica Strong – Author

I put up a post on Tuesday December 22, 2015 about the sudden passing of author Jessica Strong who I knew through the Clean Indie Reads Facebook group.

In that post I outlined that the Clean Indie Reads group is pushing an effort to get our membership that are interested to do a little something in memory of her. On December 26th, as a little remembrance / coordinated effort to do something to honor her passing, we are going to buy her books all on that day.

As part of my own comments in that thread I said “I’d like to think we could get her to #1 with a coordinated effort such as this on Saturday 12/26…” “If I lived nearby and brought flowers or something to the family to say goodbye, I would spend so much more (and it would be equally worth it).”

So that is what I am going to do. I am going to log in at 9AM EST, “drop” $16.00, and get all her books.

Between now and then, I am going to showcase her books on my blog and on my author page over at Facebook.

This post is showcasing Fearfully Made (Emma Shaw Book 1)

SYNOPSIS: (NOTE – Book was revised and Re-edited August 29, 2015).

Emma looked down at the sketch of the woman she knew was about to become their prime suspect.

“What does she have that I don’t?” The question came instantly to Emma’s mind. But she knew that whatever the answer was – she didn’t have ‘it’ – because Paul didn’t see it in her. The artist had said Emma and the ‘suspect’ were similar. But whatever made them the same could also be what made them different. Emma looked at the picture and frowned, she looked up at the scene around her; CSI, FBI, San Diego PD and the Fire Department. She looked back at the sketch. The two didn’t match. Why would someone who was that beautiful be a professional killer? Her looks would draw too much attention. But there was no way that Emma could explain that to Paul, or anyone else.

Emma thought of the words of the sketch artist.
“You look like her.” But they weren’t the same, were they?

Print Length is 340 pages, it was released on November 20, 2013 through Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (ASIN: B006PV7X12).

 

Unacceptable Behavior by Jessica Strong – Author

I put up a post on Tuesday December 22, 2015 about the sudden passing of author Jessica Strong who I knew through the Clean Indie Reads Facebook group.

In that post I outlined that the Clean Indie Reads group is pushing an effort to get our membership that are interested to do a little something in memory of her. On December 26th, as a little remembrance / coordinated effort to do something to honor her passing, we are going to buy her books all on that day.

As part of my own comments in that thread I said “I’d like to think we could get her to #1 with a coordinated effort such as this on Saturday 12/26…” “If I lived nearby and brought flowers or something to the family to say goodbye, I would spend so much more (and it would be equally worth it).”

So that is what I am going to do. I am going to log in at 9AM EST, “drop” $16.00, and get all her books.

Between now and then, I am going to showcase her books on my blog and on my author page over at Facebook.

This post is showcasing Unacceptable Behavior

SYNOPSIS: An old crime and an overly ambitious district attorney bring two college friends back together. One is a white police officer and the other a Native American attorney. The officer is involved in the arrest of a juvenile Native American but, when he sees that the District Attorney is going to railroad the young man to help jump start his political career, he calls his old college friend. The young man arrested is the son of a suspect in a serial murder case that has never been solved. Prejudice in the community, and sloppy police work when the boy’s father was originally arrested, has made solving the crime impossible. The friendship, though never in doubt, is strained at times, but provides the salvation for the attorney when the case takes an unexpected twist, and a witness comes forward that no one knew existed.

Print Length is 343 pages, it was released on July 10, 2011 through Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (ASIN: B005C2COXC).

The following is the “most helpful review” by Worduser on October 25, 2014

Hard to put down October 25, 2014

Reading this book is like finding a rare jewel in your backyard. The story has a mixture of trouble, anger, jealousy, ego, and frustration built throughout to draw the reader into the story and characters as though they had been cooked and served from a slow cooker. First, you have three teenagers, Ray, Mark and Scott, and they are in serious trouble. The cop, Luke, who knows all three are not equally guilty and a district attorney, Collins, structured from an egomaniac personality ready to step over the line for personal gain. Mix that into life on a Native American reservation, an abusive husband, armed robbery, a troubled marriage and a missing husband accused of being a serial killer and you have the ingredients for a great story. To involve the reader further add a guy named Peter to the mix and the circle is complete. After the love of his life left him for another man, Peter walked away from the reservation and set out to become the best criminal lawyer on the planet. Peter, a man on a mission, has only one request from potential clients – tell him the truth and never lie. If they are honest with him, guilty or innocent, he promises to do all he can for them. If they lie his wrath awaits their mistake. He takes young Ray on as a client because he believes he’s innocent – as innocent as his missing father, a serial killer, might be. I can’t give away more of the plot as that would be taking the apples from the pie before serving it. Much like a fine glass of wine hits the taste buds, Unacceptable Behavior weaves in, out and around the plot with sincerity true to the story. The plots and subplots unfold nicely, and the pace is even and well written. You come to like, despise and accept the characters with all their attempts, weaknesses and flaws as though they are old friends. You identify with most and feel you know the way over the bridge you travel. I enjoyed the pace author Jessica Strong created and gave Unacceptable Behavior 5 stars for drawing me in and keeping me there to the last page. I’m looking forward to reading more from the author and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

John Henry and the Tornado by Jessica Strong – Author

I put up a post on Tuesday about the sudden passing of author Jessica Strong who I know through the  Clean Indie Reads Facebook group.

In that post I outlined that the Clean Indie Reads group is pushing an effort to get our membership that are interested to do a little something in memory of her. On December 26th, as a little remembrance / coordinated effort to do something to honor her passing, we are going to buy her books all on that day.

As part of my own comments in that thread I said “I’d like to think we could get her to #1 with a coordinated effort such as this on Saturday 12/26…” “If I lived nearby and brought flowers or something to the family to say goodbye, I would spend so much more (and it would be equally worth it).”

So that is what I am going to do. I am going to log in at 9AM EST, “drop” $16.00, and get all her books.

Between now and then, I am going to showcase her books on my blog and on my author page over at Facebook.

This post is showcasing John Henry and the Tornado

SYNOPSIS: John Henry came back from Vietnam a long time ago. But all he did was return to his country, he didn’t really come home. He gave up the battle of trying to settle down until he heard a brother and sister playing. It had reminded him of better days when he was young. The days he had shared with his brother. So he had stayed in the small town of Woodville and listened to the two children laughing, playing and making plans. Then the tornado had hit and John Henry found himself wanting to protect the children, but if the town found out about him he may have to leave again and that was the last thing he wanted to do. The choice John Henry would have to make would be the bravest choice he had ever made – to finally come home and help two children who needed him.

“Sunshine Spaces” is a non profit organization that gives children with terminal or long term illnesses, a dream room makeover. These children have often endured grueling months of treatment and giving them a special place to relax, heal and be a kid again, is a ray of sunshine in these families lives. Please visit www.room-for-hope.com to see how you can make a difference in the life of a child!

Print Length is 63 pages, it was released on November 10, 2013 through Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (ASIN: B00GNK0BAK).

The following is the FIVE STAR review by “TOP 500 REVIEWER” Chief, USN Ret…VT Town

~~From Homeless to Hero~~, November 20, 2013

An outstanding story that tells about John Henry and his attempt at recovery from his time in Viet Nam. His life after Nam was one of shuffling from place to place and never setting his roots down. John Henry is now homeless with only one name on his contact list.

After a tornado rips though the town he is living in, he has an opportunity to help a couple of young children in need.

This story illustrates the importance of having someone to care for you which will lift your spirits. And, it also shows the value of the touch of another human.

Well done to this author.

Most highly recommended.

Bertie O’Brien and the Button Factory by Jessica Strong – Author

I put up a post yesterday about the sudden passing of author Jessica Strong who I know through the  Clean Indie Reads Facebook group.

In that post I outlined that the Clean Indie Reads group is pushing an effort to get our membership that are interested to do a little something in memory of her. On December 26th, as a little remembrance / coordinated effort to do something to honor her passing, we are going to buy her books all on that day.

As part of my own comments in that thread I said “I’d like to think we could get her to #1 with a coordinated effort such as this on Saturday 12/26…” “If I lived nearby and brought flowers or something to the family to say goodbye, I would spend so much more (and it would be equally worth it).”

So that is what I am going to do. I am going to log in at 9AM EST, “drop” $16.00, and get all her books.

Between now and then, I am going to showcase her books on my blog and on my author page over at Facebook.

Today I am showcasing “Bertie O’Brien and the Button Factory: How Bertie O’Brien built a button factory slaying monsters” 

I can’t give you a review of it; as I mentioned, the CIR group is going to do all our shopping on Saturday and then I will need to put it into my TBR bundle, but in the meantime I can share the summary with you and the existing reviews:

SYNOPSIS: I always knew there was a family secret. I just didn’t know how big that secret was until I went to visit my great Aunt Maggie. There in her attic she told me what everyone had tried to keep hidden all these years. My great, great Uncle Bertie was a monster slayer, but you won’t believe how he slew them. I’m still not sure I believe it myself.

Print Length is 39 pages, it was released on July 12, 2014 through Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (ASIN: B00LRWITEE).

FOUR STAR REVIEW – Unusual and interesting tale! – June 6, 2015 By Angela Castillo (follow the link to the review).

Another FOUR STAR REVIEW was written by  GreenCedar on September 17, 2015

If you are looking for a short read-aloud, story to share with your young ones, this book seems like a good fit from the reviews.

I can let you know once I get it on the 26th and read it with mine.

Jessica Strong – Author

Since I became an author in late 2014 I have met MANY others in the profession. Most of those people I have “only” met online. Jessica Strong was one of those people.

I say it past tense because, unfortunately, I learned today she passed away. She was young; it was sudden and it was unexpected.

I met her as I have met many of the other authors I know – online. In this instance it was on Facebook, in an author support group named Clean Indie Reads. (There are many readers in there as well, but I believe it is fundamentally more authors).

Many people will view their online friendships with some prejudice along the lines of “well they aren’t the same as knowing people in the real world.”

I agree. In the real world, all too often, I can’t catch up with people. I miss their calls, the email interactions are fractured, and we never get together anymore. If it isn’t work, or the kids, or the weather, or the writing, then it surely is [THE NEXT THING ON THE LIST].

In small circles and in certain groups, like Clean Indie Reads, you interact with people enough to get to know them a little. Sometimes you get to know them better than some of your neighbors.

I never had a conversation with Jessica. I read along some of the posts and conversations she had in the group, and I looked over her work at Amazon when I first joined, but that was the extent of it.

And now she’s gone.

The Clean Indie Reads group is pushing an effort to get our membership that are interested to do a little something in memory of her. On December 26th, as a little remembrance / coordinated effort to do something to honor her passing, we are going to buy her books all on that day.

As part of my own comments in that thread I said “I’d like to think we could get her to #1 with a coordinated effort such as this on Saturday 12/26…” “If I lived nearby and brought flowers or something to the family to say goodbye, I would spend so much more (and it would be equally worth it).”

So that is what I am going to do. I am going to log in at 9AM EST, “drop” $16.00, and get all her books.

Between now and then, I am going to show case her books on my blog and on my author page over at Facebook.

I’ve lost my opportunity to get to know her personally as a member of that group, but I will do what I can to try to get to know her posthumously in her writings.

She left a part of herself behind in those and I will not waste a second chance.

“Some opportunities come once in a lifetime; as needed, live as many lifetimes as you can.” #Zandriism

Jessica Strong

— BLOG – All things Literary and Political
— Amazon Author Page
— Goodreads Author Page

“Life generally offers you a second chance called “tomorrow” but why leave things to chance in case that tomorrow never arrives? Do something today.” #Zandriism