There’s no doubt e-books have revolutionised the reading experience as we have such easy access to millions of books at the click of a button. I carry over 1500 books in my handbag these days, thanks to my Kindle – and this from a women who initially vowed e-readers were not for her!
One thing I have noticed is that much of the benefit of ebooks is in favour of the reader with books cheaper than ever, and a never ending supply of free books available, thanks to the power of Amazon! It has opened up many opportunities for writers, but has also in many ways devalued the huge effort authors expend in time, brain power, and energy writing a story. And over the past couple of years there has been the rise and rise of collaborations between authors by way of book collections – writers banding together to release a collection of 3 to 12 books (roughly) in one digital volume. Often there is a big name author or two, with lesser known authors making up the collection. I think it is a brilliant way of introducing readers to other authors they might not have picked up on their own. They can be previously published books getting a new life or, and these opportunities are the best, brand new stories. And the value is incredible – I feel guilty sometimes snapping up a bargain like Whispers of Love which you can check out below.
Whispers of Love provides over 2000 pages of ALL NEW contemporary Christian romance novels from bestselling authors for only 99 cents! And I think today might be the last day for this exceptional price. I would pay way more than that just to get my hands on Sally Bradley’s latest full length novel! I was blown away by KEPT, so I can’t wait to dive into HOMESTANDS. With names like Staci Stallings, Valerie Comer, and Christina Coryell, you don’t want to miss this one.
So, friends, what are your thoughts on digital collections? Have you discovered an author you may not have otherwise?
BUY WHISPERS OF LOVE NOW
A Change of Heart by Kimberly Rae Jordan
Only one thing stands between Ethan Collins and the job he desperately needs: office manager Makayla McFadden. She hates that he represents a major change in her family’s business, but finds herself intrigued by him, too. Will Makayla be able to see that change can be a good thing, professionally and personally? Or will Ethan be back to square one—in need of a job in a new city?
Not This Time by Leah Atwood
Amie Reynolds wakes up on her wedding morning to find a note from her fiancé that he left the country. Needing to escape her heartache, she visits her great-aunt’s lake house for the summer and meets Drew Sullivan. Romance between them blooms, but will Drew’s secret tear them apart?
Homestands by Sally Bradley
A pro athlete stumbles across his ex-wife, the son she hid from him, and the rare opportunity to right his wrongs, but a secret from the past threatens their attempts to repair their shattered relationship.
Secrets of Sunbeams by Valerie Comer
One animal control officer with her own escapee goat. One solar architect whose report has been eaten. Can romance and urban farming blossom on the same city block?
Overture and a Prince by Christina Coryell
She’s an actress who can’t seem to get out of character. He’s a mechanic who puts little stock in imagination. Will their love story make it to the opening curtain?
Gentle Like the Rain by JoAnn Durgin
Isabella Caccavale’s stable life plunges into a tailspin after she buys her aunt’s general store in Evergreen, Maine. When “runaway” lawyer Sidney Prescott roars into town, he jump-starts her wounded heart. Will Sidney find what he seeks in quaint little Evergreen or will he take Isabella’s heart with him when he returns to Boston?
Teapots & Tiaras by Autumn Macarthur
When their best friends’ wedding in London pushes medical missionary Matthew Coalbrooke and bubbly shoe-aholic kitchenware saleswoman Anita Kiernan together, it’s dislike at first sight. But God has a bigger plan for them than they can possibly imagine.
Oceans Apart by Lesley Ann McDaniel
This is the Inn at Crescent Cove’s biggest weekend since Lily Duarte bought it last year—a wedding. Now if only she can stop dwelling on the last wedding she planned then called off at the eleventh hour…her own. When an employee quits and handsome best man Matthew Case steps in to help, Lily’s thoughts of what might have been start to fade away.
The Lifeguard, the Abandoned Heiress, and Frozen Custard by Carol Moncado
Adam Wilkerson is looking forward to a summer of fun working at the Serenity Landing Aquatic Center. Gwendolyn Cranston-Schmidt is looking for a fresh start. Can they see past both of their secrets to find their way to a real relationship?
Flight 259 by Staci Stallings
It was only a chance occurrence. When Jenna Davis happens to sit next to Dr. Scott Browning and his young son on the plane to Newark, she has no idea how that one chance decision will change all of their lives forever.
Smile for Me by Jan Thompson
A workaholic assistant principal who meticulously plans his schedule months in advance meets an easygoing potter and art teacher with no sense of time, living her life as the seasons come and go. Crossing paths again at the Summer-by-the-Sea Day Camp sponsored by his church in the Bahamas, how can they work together if they cannot see eye to eye?
The Other You by Marion Ueckermann
Five years spent searching for her identity brings photojournalist Taylor Cassidy no closer to the truth. When Taylor is sent to South Africa to uncover the story behind winegrower Armand DeBois’s flagship wine, Aimee Amour, their meeting raises questions that demand answers—for them both.
July 5, 2016 at 6:14 pm
I know I definitely have! I discovered Nicole Deese and Tammy L. Gray because of the “Just One Summer” collection they did with Jenny B. Jones and Amy Matayo. Now they’re both on my list of “must read” authors 🙂
And, like you, I would have paid more than 99c just for Sally’s newest release but I’m looking forward to meeting some new authors in the Whispers of Love collection I may have otherwise never read.
The only thing I find a bit frustrating is that most collections aren’t formatted for Kindle so that you can switch between chapters, let alone stories, which means you are in for hundreds of page swipes if you want to start with a story that isn’t the first one!
July 6, 2016 at 10:45 am
Yay! Great author discoveries, I might say 🙂 Mmmm…I haven’t found that issue with the collections I’ve read – that’s most disconcerting!
July 5, 2016 at 10:11 pm
I second Kara’s comments. It’s hard to pass up these deals, which I generally buy for one or two authors. Usually the writing quality is uneven, but I find at least one author I’ll keep reading.
July 6, 2016 at 10:46 am
That can be the challenge, Carolyn, finding writers of the same high calibre! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
July 6, 2016 at 12:05 am
I love getting to read new authors. And I can’t wait to delve into this collection.
July 6, 2016 at 10:46 am
Looks good, doesn’t it, Pat?
July 6, 2016 at 7:51 am
I love finding Kindle bargains!! I have found new authors as a result of low pricing.
However, I’ve not purchased any collections for my Kindle, just single full-length novels.
July 6, 2016 at 10:47 am
I encourage you to give it a go, Staci – there are some fabulous offers out there.
July 6, 2016 at 5:11 pm
I really like quite a few of these authors, but I am most excited for Kimberly Rae Jordan’s novella. I absolutely loved the first in this familial series (A Handful of Flowers) that came out in the spring collection Love Blossoms. I hadn’t read any of her books prior, but I am eager to read more from her back list.
July 7, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Terrill Rosado » Good to know, Terrill
July 10, 2016 at 1:21 am
Rel – I agree with you – – I would have scooped this up just for Sally Bradley’s release of “Homestands” – I too was so blown away by “Kept”. I will admit that I am not familiar with the other authors of this grouping – but am interested in delving into their work. This may not be the platform to ask these questions – but this is the second time that I have waited with high anticipation towards the next release from an author that won high praise on their previous release on for the next release to be put in a “grouping”. And although the grouping is usually at a great price – my question is “why”? Why is the next release being put in a grouping? I can understand that it might bring an unknown or little known author into a greater light. But is this grouping at the discretion and approval of all the grouped authors? Or is this a publishing house decision? I agree with you that I feel it devalues the author(s) to some degree. And how does the authors really make a living when you get 7 to 12 books for 99 cents? Is the author already guaranteed a certain payment for the book even though it’s being released for such a bottom basement bargain? I have always wondered about this type of release – and I’ll admit, I’m only a reader – not a writer – so maybe there’s some inside information that I don’t understand. And maybe I’m asking too many questions for you to fully tackle this side of the equation – – but I’m a curious lot (I’m currently reading “Within the Veil and my Scottish roots are surfacing – lol) – – thanks for the blog – you do a great job!
July 12, 2016 at 4:32 am
Pam, I’m really happy to hear that you were looking forward to another book from me. 🙂 I hope Homestands and Taken have lived up to expectations.
Others have asked your question about why we’d put brand new releases together in one, dirt-cheap set. For me, the reason was exposure to other fiction readers who don’t know I exist. I’m still a very new author, and right now discoverability is what I’m focusing on. All of us in the set hoped that sharing our readership with each other would help other fiction fans find us, and so far that does seem to be working. For which I’m very thankful. 🙂
Does it pay off financially? It can, depending on how long the set is out, the price, whether it’s in Kindle Unlimited or not. I’ve had a few people say they felt guilty buying Whispers of Love and Smoke and Mirrors because we wouldn’t make anything off it, but that’s not really true. The beauty of being an independent author rather than an author with a traditional publisher is that I can afford to price books lower. That benefits everyone, doesn’t it? 🙂
Thanks for asking!
July 12, 2016 at 4:57 am
Thanks for the reply Sally! It does help me to understand things a little better. Although I still feel a little guilty in getting such great writing at such a bargain price. But … if it’s accomplishing the purpose you set out to achieve … then who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? Just take the horse and ride!!
Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us!
July 10, 2016 at 1:44 am
P.S. – Sally Bradley has also released another new novel – “Taken” – but once again, at this point, it is only available in a “grouping” with other authors – a different grouping than the “Whispers of Love” grouping – this 8 book grouping is called “Smoke and Mirrors” – A Romantic Suspense Collection. And it is also available for 99 cents on Kindle – or you can read for free if you’re a Kindle Unlimited member. But the questions I asked above are still a query.
July 12, 2016 at 9:46 am
I love that the collection is so affordable. I just can’t get into reading ebooks. I have many on my Kindle app, but I find that I rarely finish them. I much prefer paperback!
July 13, 2016 at 12:40 am
Collections like this are great for readers discovering new-to-them authors, and as others have said, it helps unknown authors reach a wider audience. A win for both authors and readers.
My only problem with the low prices is that so many readers now expect to purchase ebooks for 99¢, $1.99, $2.99, and complain when the prices are above that.