Top Books on Amazon This Week

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I've been keeping an eye on the hot books on Amazon, just to see what the readers are buying at the moment. I noticed that the following four books are set aside as 'Best Selling Products' (books) of the week. Naturally, I wanted to find out why. 

(Each one is linked to their individual page on Amazon).













1.  A Passion Most Pure (Daughters of Boston, Book 1)   by Julie Lessman.

This is part of the product description on Amazon:

Refusing to settle for anything less than a romantic relationship that pleases God, Faith O'Connor steels her heart against her desire for the roguish Collin McGuire. But when Collin tries to win her sister Charity's hand, Faith isn't sure she can handle the jealousy she feels. To further complicate matters, Faith finds herself the object of Collin's affections, even as he is courting her sister. The Great War is raging overseas, and a smaller war is brewing in the O'Connor household.

• 70 percent of the reviewers have given this book a 5 star rating. 


• 93 customer reviews


• An average of 4.5 star rating


• Number 86 in Romance, Religious books

Romance is obviously not dead. The reader reviews make it absolutely clear that many people, including men, still tuck themselves up in the evenings with a great romance book. Even though historical books haven't been wildly waved about in the shelves of Waterstones, we see that the real customers are finding their niche on the Internet. 

2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Vintage) by Stieg Larsson

This is part of Publisher's Weekly's review:

At once a strikingly original thriller and a vivisection of Sweden's dirty not-so-little secrets (as suggested by its original title, Men Who Hate Women), this first of a trilogy introduces a provocatively odd couple: disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist, freshly sentenced to jail for libeling a shady businessman, and the multipierced and tattooed Lisbeth Salander, a feral but vulnerable superhacker. Hired by octogenarian industrialist Henrik Vanger, who wants to find out what happened to his beloved great-niece before he dies, the duo gradually uncover a festering morass of familial corruption—at the same time, Larsson skillfully bares some of the similar horrors that have left Salander such a marked woman.

• A staggering 904 customer reviews


• 442 readers gave it a 5 star rating


• 4 star overall average


• Number 3 best-seller in books (general)


• Number 3 in Mystery and Thrillers


• Number 6 in Literature and Fiction

Mystery and Thriller have always done well in the literary world. However, reading the description doesn't immediately call to mind a book that will favour well with picky agents and publishers. I think that the readers have demonstrated their literary preferences with the way they've trampled over each other to access this book. Not only have they read and digested this remarkable story, they've encouraged others to take a sip of what they deem a satisfying drink.

3. Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, Book 1) by Kim Harrison

Part of the product description:

The underground population of witches, vampires, werewolves—creatures of dreams and nightmares—have lived beside humans for centuries, hiding their powers. But after a genetically engineered virus wipes out a large part of humanity, many of the "Inderlanders" reveal themselves, changing everything.

• 301 customer reviews


• 143 gave it a 5 star rating


• An overall average of 4 stars


• Number 73 in Dark Fantasy, Horror

I think that fiction writers can take heart from the recent success of vampire movies and themes. In the 60s when Dracula was prancing around on the big screens, horror books sold in hefty numbers. We seem to have come full circle in the noughties, as vampire/horror merchandise in general are widely accepted by mainstream public. The success of this book is only one factor that proves this point. Vampire books are no longer just for niche audiences. Get writing your vampire tales!

4. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis

Michiko Kakutani - The New York Times said: 

No one writes with more narrative panache about money and finance than Mr. Lewis....[he] does a nimble job of using his subjects’ stories to explicate the greed, idiocies and hypocrisies of a system notably lacking in grown-up supervision....Writing in faintly Tom Wolfe-ian prose, Mr. Lewis does a colorful job of introducing the lay reader to the Darwinian world of the bond market. 

• 122 customer reviews


• 42 readers gave it a 5 star rating


• 3 star average


• Number 1 in non-fiction.


• number 1 in Business and Investing

As a writer of mainly non-fiction books, (not business) this gives me hope in the future for my own work. The business theme is not one that is thought to be widely embraced where the public taste in literature is concerned. This just goes to show how much we really know when we blabber about what will or will not sell. The readers' remarkable reviews of this wonderful book is generally favourable and filled with praise. 

Hope you can check out some of these books. If you're a reader or writer, there's something in each one for all of us. 

My Follow Friday - Year Zero Writers

I follow Year Zero Writers because there is simply no other site on the Internet where one could read such fascinating, rich, professional, free and well-written pieces. Year Zero showcases work from some of the most talented, contemporary writers around (and I'm not just saying this because I'm part of Year Zero). 





Year Zero is different from most writing blogs on the web because it collectively supports the writing voices and unique approaches of several different writers. This means that readers are enriched by having the privilege of reading diverse points of view, and sample divine work from a variety of artists, many of whom at at the top of their field. 





In addition to the short fiction available on this blog, many Year Zero writers offer their larger works for free. Readers are given the option of downloading several of the members' work (e-Books) for no charge. Year Zero Writers' blog does not have a 'follow' panel. However just adding the site to your blog list will enable you to see when new posts are made.

Blogger Tutorials: Lesson 2 - Blog Posts

So you've started your blog and have been careful to use targeted keywords to write your tag line and describe your site. The next step is to write your charming and entertaining blog post.





How important is your post





It's the nutrient to your site. Your post is what keeps your visitors coming back and paying interest in you and what you write. Think carefully about what you create and who you're creating it for. Read these punctuation lessons and make sure you're at least competent. Interesting and compelling content is marred if it's littered with grammatical and punctuation mistakes. Furthermore, blogging about things that do not hold your interest will eventually seep through your writing and cause your readers to lose interest too. 

• Teach your readers. People surf the Internet to gain information.


• Question them. Always leave them with something to think about.


• Help them. Readers appreciate this.


• Show them something new - a different way of looking at old beliefs.


• Entertain them. People like to laugh.


• Be original. Always add your personality into what you write. 

What do you post





Of course it's your blog, so you have a right to post whatever you want. However, keep in mind all the research you put into naming your blog and resolve to make blog posts about your targeted subject. The only way search engines will offer up your site when people search for terms you cover, is if these phrases can be found intelligently scattered all over your blog.





Try to approach your subject from different directions to satisfy your own curiosity and that of your readers. Use pictures to depict scenes you want to tackle, and make sure your research is backed up by figures and links to validate your claims. Always remember that there are free image sites where you can get pictures to use on your blog, even though most pictures on the Internet are claimed by someone else. Please give credit to the owners of the pictures you use by also including their site link under the image. 

• Intelligent blogging is key.


• Targeted subject matter makes your blog more successful.


• One picture tells a thousand words.


• Don't be a rude blogger by stealing other people's work and images.

Where to find inspiration for blog blog posts





This is the hardest part. Many people lose interest in blogging after they realise that it's not as easy as it sounds. Having an online diary is of no interest to anyone but yourself. However, if you want to have a site buzzing with visitors and comments, you have to dedicate more time than simply rigging up your next shopping list, or a detailed account of what your dog did yesterday. 

I recommend taking inspiration from life for your articles. This is the only way you will have original posts. Having said this (as a person who manages 4 blogs) I realise that one sometimes need visual prompts to get the creative juices flowing. Here are some I've successfully used in the past.





Alexa This is a site that tells you what is popular at the moment. It gives you general or specialised subjects, so you can search for your targeted topics too. If you need a quick blog post idea, have a look at some of these topics. Do your research and write your own point of view. Remember that your blog post has to be your own. The reason why people read your article on your site is because they want to hear your individual take on the matter. Don't use other people's material.





Radio - News and reviews will spark ideas of your own. In addition, other people hearing about those particular events will be searching the web for more information. This is where your research and blog come in. 





Newspapers - Reading always helps us write better. 





TV guides - Search your TV guide for upcoming topics of interest to you and your readers. You may find something inspiring, timetabled to show at the end of the week. Cover it in your blog today so you can catch the traffic when the searches start to flow in at the end of the week.





Part one of this blog tutorial is here.

About Me

First, I'm a freelance writer, then a part-time youth worker.

I also work as a television supporting artist with shows like Torchwood, Mistresses (UK's Desperate Housewives), Skins (with Slumdog Millionaire’s, Dev Patel), Casualty, Being Human etc. And maybe if you look carefully you'll see me as one of the Time Lords in Dr Who. 

In the past, I have been a Stage Actress and played at the National Cultural Centre – the national playhouse in the capital city, Georgetown. I’ve also been (and still am) a model, and was even a missionary in my home country of Guyana in South America, and have also had my own call-in radio show. 

These diverse experiences and abilities help me to write better, at least that’s what I keep telling myself.



I'm also the editor of The Writer's Bureau Magazine, 'Chapter and Verse'.

You can make contact with me:

• Find some of my articles here


• Send me a message


• Co-founder of a writer's co-operative


• Follow me on twitter


• Catch up on Facebook


• I'm a contributor at this women's magazine


• And write for this hardcopy

MY BLOGS

Blog 1 - A Blogger's Books

A Blogger's Books: A solid vault of tricks, useful links, essays and free tips for writers and bloggers. Find places to submit your work in a flash. Learn directions to helpful websites that cater for new writers and bloggers. Dig up tutorials and inventive series on how to create your own books, ebooks, or write online.Get recommendations of resourceful writing blogs with a weekly Follow Friday – blog style. If you’re a new online writer or blogger, grab some simple and straightforward writing tips to make your work better. For literary agents, there are five of my books here to keep you occupied.

Blog 2 - Sunday's Child Lives At Annie's House



A description of and excerpts from the memoir 'Sunday's Child,' (a true story, written in the voice of a little girl) and other stuff about books, writing, magazines, blogging and the news. 



Blog 3 - The Relationship Supermarket

A motivational, healthy-living based site that stocks free tips for all your relationship needs. Assorted articles are hand-picked and packed full of dating tips and relationship advice based on friendship and on love. Marriage and parenting advice are also stockpiled. And if you’re a Christian looking for bible based articles, here’s where you’ll find them too. The Relationship Supermarket.com is your one stop shop for all your relationship needs.

Blog 4 - Shakespeare Scenes For Modern Times

The material on this blog is specifically designed for teenagers and younger kids. The aim is to help them read and translate Shakespeare scenes into their own, modern take on the English language. This is a perfect tool to help them write their Shakespeare synopsis on a particular play or character quickly and easily. This modern ‘translation’ will also help with any type of school work pertaining to the plays of the mighty Shakespeare, and his dramatic and comedic scenes we all love.





Blog 5 - diy projects (my newest site)

Most of the articles here are step-by-step tutorials to help you care for your home, and do some of those nagging DIY jobs yourself.

This blog was started when we bought an old, neglected house. While doing the long list of home improvement jobs we realised how much we did know about DIY, and how much more we had to learn.

Other (upcoming) articles will show you ourjourney to convert our purchase into a beautiful home for ourselves and children. Feel free to voice your opinion or questions.

I'm a co-founder of this writer's co-operative. This is our site from which you can download first-class writing and stories for free.

Year Zero Writers

Year Zero is not an industry. Year Zero is not a group of writers. Year Zero is not a set of beliefs. Year Zero is an approach to culture.Year Zero books are now available in print and e-Book format.  My Weekly Column

Articles at Triond

I create articles on several different topics. I let my fingers do the talking about whatever moves me. This site enables me to express short bursts of energetic writing.

I'm a contributor here - Fabulously40

This is a website for women in their 40s and beyond. It's a place to read powerful material and be informed, but it's also a welcoming place to hang out and chill with women of like minds.



Get my published books. Click on My Storefront



How To Spend Less

The author has spent four years of active research uncovering well-kept secrets which will help the average family spend less on food shopping, household bills, entertainment, large purchases and arbitrary outgoings. She's acid-proofed all the examples given in this book so you don't have to do any of the hard work.

How To Really Lose Weight Without Dieting

‘How to Really Lose Weight Without Dieting’ is a workable solution to banish nagging weight issues and keep them gone for good. It’s a powerful, new guide which hands over responsibility to the readers by inspiring them to take on individually targeted lifestyle changes, and gives them the option to move at their own pace.

This innovative programme teaches a way of life, not a diet. It coaches readers on issues of portion control, a new system of mind-training and sustainable physical activities, with no strenuous exercises.

This is a clear, easy-to-follow, step-by-step plan with solid psychological reinforcements. It offers the readers the option to personalise the steps for individual tastes, and is a strong and precise link to staying healthy and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

And on Amazon: