Deadline -- #BEP Book Release and Review -- Jessica James

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Deadline by Jessica James #ReleaseBlitz @jessicajames @bookenthupromo
Genre:Romantic Suspense
Release Date: April 9, 2016
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions (http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com )

He’s a relentless homicide detective. She’s an uncompromising journalist.
Neither desires to work together—but they’ll never uncover the truth alone.

Landing a front page headline isn’t why reporter Caitlin Sparks is investigating a string of suspicious deaths connected to the U.S. State Department. She has a personal stake in finding the killer.

Detective Blake Madison has a connection to the murders too, and will risk anything to uncover the truth. But a journalist is the last person he’d rely on to help him solve a crime—especially one whose trail of evidence leads back to him.

Joining forces becomes essential as the body count continues to grow. Someone powerful doesn't want the truth to come out—and will stop at nothing to make sure no one talks.

On the run with nowhere to turn, the couple devises a plan to expose the killer. The risk is great and the chance of success small, but the ultimate outcome is something neither one of them envisioned.

Deadline caught my eye when it came through my inbox with Book Enthusiast Promotions newsletter. I was attracted to the cover, as it was different than I've been seeing lately. And with two goals in mind—read more and give back—I picked Jessica James’ book as my first review for my new blog. 

Before I start—and just to clarify, if you are looking for Romantic Suspense, this is NOT it. Because I know the readers [of romance] can be quite particular, I will tell you—in my opinion—this book is not going to get you where you want to go. This is more a political thriller with “sweet” romantic elements.

What I liked about the book: Even with the slow start, the story picked up the pace, and there were twists and turns that kept the ending from being revealed too soon. I liked the hero and heroine together. Once they started working as a unit, the ebb and flow of their budding relationship brought much needed emotional relief to the mystery. 

Some things to consider: Unfortunately, I had a hard time fully enjoying the book. There was an unpolished element to the writing that made me wonder if the author could have used a better editor. 

Even so, I am grateful for the chance to read the book. If you like mystery and political thrillers with sweet and conservative values, this could be the book for you.

Jessica James is an award-winning author of military fiction and non-fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day. She is the only two-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and was featured in the book 50 Authors You Should Be Reading, published in 2010.

Her novels have been used in schools to teach visualization techniques and are available in more than one hundred libraries including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy.

James stays active working part-time as a stagehand where she assists with shows ranging from country bands and stage plays, to operas, symphonies and ballets. She resides in Gettysburg, Pa., and has a passion for old dwellings and first edition books.

The Last 30 Days -- SELF PUBLISHING

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So, here it comes...
I have to smile when I use the word 'so' in my blogging and/or stories because when I use that word in real life, it immediately puts my husband's guard up. EX. Sooo, are you going to leave that open like that?  :D  Can you hear it?!  I do, and it sounds exactly like what it is, criticism. LOL  It's me, NOT wanting to be critical, but looking for WHY anyway. So softens the blow. Or, at least, it should. But if you hit a dog and say I love you at the same time, they will most likely shy away from the phrase I love you, eh?

Sooo, here it comes. The last thirty days.

As a self-published author, how do you spend those days before your release in order to make the MOST of that release day?

Exposure. I'd say that is the key element. Blogging, guest blogging, interviews, advertisement space, networking..twitter, facebook. I look ahead of me into the month of May, and I see an experiment. The truth is, you could start two or three months ahead of time putting together a marketing strategy. Guest blogging? Not easy to grab a spot on an author friendly blog without waiting. With the market so full of new authors and new books, exposure will require planning. LOTS OF PLANNING.

That's been a lesson for me.

Lucky for me, books will sell, even after the release day.

Budget comes in to play as well, and though I've got money set aside, I'm trying to spend as little as possible on this first book. That forces me to dig a little deeper to find a place to create hype. Who will do reviews? Who will let me guest blog? How many blogs can I visit in hopes of directing traffic BACK to my own blog?

I'm seeing the benefits of a PR department, not to mention marketing!!
Give it to me straight, people.
What efforts have you gone to in order to spread the word about your release day [self-published or not]?

BTW, i'm estimating...my release day is NOT June 1st. It's June 8th!!!
OMG, I have a release day! :D

I can't wait to show you my cover.