FREE eBook: WHALE SONG: School Edition - March 28-30

Get WHALE SONG: School Edition FREE on Amazon from March 28-30th.

Comes with detailed discussion guide for teachers!

Whale Song has been used in schools across the world, for novel studies, book reports and even as a book club read. The various societal and emotional themes make it a perfect choice for readers 9-109.

A "compelling" story of family ties, love, tragedy, sacrifice and transformation that will change the way you view life...and death.

Thirteen years ago, Sarah Richardson’s life was shattered after the tragic death of her mother. The shocking event left a grief-stricken teen-aged Sarah with partial amnesia.

Some things are easier to forget.

But now a familiar voice from her childhood sends Sarah, a talented mid-twenties ad exec, back to her past. A past that she had thought was long buried.

Some things are meant to be buried.

Torn by nightmares and visions of a yellow-eyed wolf and aided by creatures of the Earth and killer whales that call to her in the night, Sarah must face her fears and recover her memories―even if it destroys her.

Some things are meant to be remembered―at all cost.

FREE for 3 days only! Get it now.

Editorial Reviews:

“I read Whale Song and loved it.” ―Jodelle Ferland, actress (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Case 39)

“Tardif’s story has that perennially crowd-pleasing combination of sweet and sad that so often propels popular commercial fiction…Tardif, already a big hit in Canada…a name to reckon with south of the border.” ―Booklist

“Whale Song is deep and true, a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart...a beautiful, haunting novel.” ―NY Times bestselling novelist Luanne Rice, author of Beach Girls

“A wonderfully well-written novel. Wonderful characters [that] shine. The settings are exquisitely described. The writing is lyrical. Whale Song would make a wonderful movie.” ―Writer’s Digest

“Whale Song is reminiscent of Ring of Endless Light by M. L’Engle, and Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.” ―Carol D. O’Dell, author of Mothering Mother

“One doesn’t simply read a Tardif story, one experiences it! Among the very few authors I’ve ever said that about is my all-time favorite Pat Conroy. Like him, Cheryl Kaye Tardif has a definite way with words.” ―Betty Dravis, co-author of Dream Reachers I & II.

“Tardif leaves a lasting mark on her readers…Moving and irresistible.” ―Midwest Book Review

Read a free sample or buy WHALE SONG: School Edition FREE on Amazon from March 28-30th. 

Read an excerpt from the must-read thriller of 2012 - CHILDREN OF THE FOG

Here's a free sample of CHILDREN OF THE FOG using the Kindle for the Web reader. This is the must-read suspense thriller of 2012 and an Amazon Top 100 bestseller. I hope you enjoy.

Read the rest of CHILDREN OF THE FOG today.

Email from a CHILDREN OF THE FOG fan: "Awesome, heart-breaking, breath-taking"

I received an email today that truly touched my heart. Again, I am surprised by the impact of my words. WHALE SONG has for a long time affected people in ways I hadn't predicted--and now it's CHILDREN OF THE FOG's turn.

I had to ask this fan if I could post her email here and she graciously gave me permission to do so...

I just want to let you know that I just finished your book a minute ago and would like to let you know that, I DON'T LIKE IT... I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

I am not a mother and never would be at my age, but I do love kids...I HATE you for regretting not having one, making me cry, and feeling like a mother while reading your book.

You made me read non-stop from the half page until I finished. It was awesome, heart-breaking, breath-taking, suspenseful but at least a happy ending!

I would also add that it is very INSPIRING for any mother who had lost their kids and we knew there are lots here in Canada.

Keep up the work and exceptional writing. Thank you so much. YOU are one of the best of all the best!

Chalou

WOW! That's what I first said when I read this email. Thank you, Chalou, for allowing me to share your email here on my blog. This is one I'll be printing and putting up on my office wall. :-)

I have received so many emails about CHILDREN OF THE FOG. It's like Christmas day for me, opening up those emails.

Thank you to each of you who took time out of your busy schedule to let me know you enjoyed the story of Sadie and her son Sam...and of course all the other CHILDREN OF THE FOG.

CHILDREN OF THE FOG is available in ebook and paperback editions.

Children of the Fog, the Breakaway Must-Read Hit of 2012 & an Amazon Top 100 Bestseller

Today is the 9th day that my supernatural suspense thriller CHILDREN OF THE FOG is on Amazon's Top 100 Bestseller's list. That's the Top 100 out of 1.1 MILLION Kindle ebooks sold on Amazon.

Over 8500 copies of my thriller have sold in just over a week.

Nearly 39,000 people downloaded it for free when I had a promotion on for 2 days.

Almost 1600 people have borrowed it in the past 2.5 weeks.

I am still in shock. I have to pinch myself every time I look at the numbers.

I've been outselling works by Stephen King, JD Robb, George R.R. Martin, Danielle Steel, Amanda Hocking, JA Konrath and so many more of the authors I've considered my favorites or mentors. It is mind-blowing.

Thank you to every reader who has taken a chance on my books. I truly value your support, emails and reviews. Thank you to everyone who has helped me promote CHILDREN OF THE FOG. You've helped make my thriller an International Bestseller and an Amazon Top 100 Bestseller and I wouldn't be here without you.

Oh, and I almost forgot...a major literary agent in New York is now interested in representing me. We're discussing the possibilities now. The chairman was watching my success online.

If you haven't read the must-read thriller of 2012, I invite you to pick up a copy of CHILDREN OF THE FOG from Amazon. It's only $3.99. You can read it on your PC, laptop, tablet, Kindle ereader or smartphone.

If you've read CHILDREN OF THE FOG and enjoyed it, please post a review on Amazon as that is helpful to me but mostly to other readers. Thank you.

Interviews and Advice from The Mystery Writers

Not too long ago I was asked to share some of my thoughts on indie-publishing and marketing for a book edited by Jean Henry Mead. So today I welcome Jean to my blog to tell you more about THE MYSTERY WRITERS.

Not everyone agrees that independent publishing is the key to writing success, but there are a growing number of authors who are proving the skeptics wrong. A growing number of writers are among an elite group with bestselling track records, such as my host, Cheryl Kaye Tardif, whose secret to success is ingenuity and hard work promoting her books, as well as Imajin’s authors. Among her publicity tools are two main websites and a blog as well as membership in various social networks.

She says in The Mystery Writers: “In 2010 Amazon opened KDP to Canadian authors and I went back to my roots—to indie publishing. For me it's probably the best fit. I am by nature very independent and a strong marketer. Plus I'm ‘an idea person.’ Even my old publisher saw this in me and often called me a "guru" or "marketing genius." While I don't consider myself a ‘genius’ I do know that I'm a risk-taker.”

Independent publishing isn’t for everyone. It requires not only writing talent but good marketing skills and industry know-how to succeed. A number of other self- publishers are included in The Mystery Writers as well as bestselling traditionally published novelists such as Sue Grafton, Lawrence Block, J.A. Jance, Vicki Hinze and James Scott Bell (former Writer’s Digest fiction columnist).

Tim Hallinan, award-winning author of the traditionally published Poke Rafferty mystery/thriller series, decided to self-publish his Junior Bender series—humorous stories of a burglar with a “moral code who works as a private eye for crooks.” Tim’s earlier novels earned him critical acclaim but not enough money to retire from his day job. He now earns thousands of dollars a month with his self-published ebooks.

He said the reason he decided to leave his agent and publisher was because “the money we were offered by the publishers wasn’t very good. I looked at the offers and thought, ‘I’d rather own my books.”

Rebecca Dahlke once managed her father’s crop dusting business in California, and decided that her protagonist—a beautiful former model—should also be a crop duster. She then decided to independently publish her novels, with startling results. Rebecca, like Cheryl, is a promoter and a humorous one at that. She says, “Self-publishing is no longer a dirty word. . . Eons ago, back in the dark ages (of publishing)—was it really only five years ago?—all we authors could hope for was a good agent, a decent publisher, a slowly growing fan base, and a list of book stores that might, or might not, keep our books on their shelves for three to six months before returning the unsold copies to the publisher. We could send in Advanced Reader Copies to prestigious reviewers or magazines and hope they would say nice things about our books, or pay a publicist to tout it, take our dog and pony show on the road, eat bad food, stay in crappy hotels, be at that next book store, book fair, conference, and smile till our cheeks ached. . .

“The changes have been exciting, and for this author, validation that I too can write books that readers enjoy. So, for all the august veterans who see the Internet as an encroachment onto their hard-won personal turf, let me paraphrase one of my favorite movie lines: Saddle up boys and girls, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!” You can read how she accomplished her success in The Mystery Writers.

And, after ten publishers of my own over the years, I decided to independently publish The Mystery Writers with my own small press. The 406-page book is currently available on Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/3792541 and will be available on Amazon.com, Kindle and Nook after March 26.

The 406-page book is a veritable bible for fledgling writers because the advice offered by 58 bestselling, award-winning and midlist writers is invaluable for any genre. Twelve subgenres are represented and the writers write from as far away as South Africa, Brazil, Thailand, the U.S. and England.

Bio: Jean Henry Mead is a national award-winning photojournalist in the U.S. as well as a mystery/suspense and western historical novelist. She’s published 17 books, half of them novels and served as a news reporter; news, magazine and small press editor in California and Wyoming.

March 14th - International Time Travel Day - Free eBooks

International Time Travel Day is March 14th and a bunch of my author friends and I are celebrating it with free ebook giveaways. Keep reading! :-)

By no coincidence, it is also the birthday of Albert Einstein, author of the “space and time bend" theory.

Join 12 Time Travel Authors across North America as they celebrate International Time Travel Day with great giveaways!

Visit the following blogs/websites on March 14, and leave a comment on each for your chance to win free books that celebrate time travel in all its guises:

Funny or scary….sexy or sweet…rollicking adventure stories…

ESCAPE WITH TIME TRAVEL!

Participating Authors:

Madeline Baker         www.madelinebaker.net

Melodie Campbell     www.funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com

Pauline B. Jones        www.paulinebjones.com

Chris Karlsen            www.chriskarlsen.com

Laura Martello          www.la-mitchell.blogspot.com

Troy McCombs        http://www.tmhorror.blogspot.com/

Theresa Ragan           http://www.theresaragan.com

Cate Rowan              www.funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com

Terry Spear               http://terry-spear.blogspot.com/

Lizzie Starr                http://starrwords.blogspot.com

Cheryl Kaye Tardif    www.cherylktardif.com

Nicholas Wisseman    www.funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com

WIN A COPY OF CHERYL KAYE TARDIF's PARANORMAL SCI-FI THRILLER...

REMOTE CONTROL...

In this dark, suspenseful and somewhat comical look at one man's desires, Remote Control by bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif delivers a strong message:
Be careful what you wish for!

Meet Harold Fielding—plumber by part of the day, slacker/tv addict the rest of the day and night. Harry believes that fame and fortune will come to him if he wishes hard enough. God forbid if he should actually work for it.

Beatrice Fielding is Harry's hardworking wife. She holds down multiple jobs so her husband can laze about on his recliner, eating popcorn and drinking cola while watching his favorite shows. She has many wishes--some aren't so nice.

Enter below; you'll get one entry for each of the 5 steps you do. :-)

REMOTE CONTROL is an award-winning novelette.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

International Time Travel Day - March 14th

One of my author friends, Melodie Campbell, has created an exciting multi-author event to celebrate her time travel romance ROWENA THROUGH THE WALL and other authors' books with time travel as a main theme.

Join us on March 14th for International Time Travel Day and experience a day of surprises and giveaways.

I'll be giving away one of my ebooks right here on my blog, so please bookmark http://www cherylktardif.blogspot.com and come back here on March 14th.

More information:
http://funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-14-is-international-time-travel.html

Children of the Fog makes Amazon's Top 100 Bestsellers list - at #18

It has been an exciting few days, starting on March 7/8 with my free giveaway of my paranormal suspense thriller CHILDREN OF THE FOG. On the second day after the freebies, my thriller made Amazon's Top 100 Bestsellers list, something I've only accomplished once before with WHALE SONG.

CHILDREN OF THE FOG made it as low as #7, according to my father who was watching my stats. It currently sits at #18, on the first page of the bestseller list--a place authors would give anything to be.

From the beginning of this year I've said 2012 would be my year. And it's off to an amazing start. With major exposure on Amazon I've sold more books than ever before, have tens of thousands of new readers, have received wonderful fan mail and numerous 5-star reviews, and I've achieved one of my major goals--to get on Amazon's Top 100 list.

And by the way, I'm not talking about the Top 100 genres lists, which I've been on with every book I've written, but the overall Top 100 bestsellers. That's out of over 1 million ebooks sold on Amazon. And right now I'm #18. Wow...

Some days I have to pinch myself. It seems surreal.

I am very grateful to every reader who has taken a chance on one of my books. I do hope you'll enjoy reading my stories. I'm also thankful for all the wonderful people who have helped me spread the word about my books, especially those who have RTd my tweets, and especially my fellow authors at Imajin Books and World Literary Cafe. I owe some of my success to all of you.

And don't think I won't pass on what I've learned. I am just as excited that many of my authors at Imajin Books (my publishing company) will be seeing similar results very shortly as I share my tips and observations with them.

Happy reading everyone.

And if you haven't picked up a copy of the must-read thriller of 2012--CHILDREN OF THE FOG--check it out on Amazon.

Pick up a FREE copy of the must-read, breath-stopping thrillerof 2012--CHILDREN OF THE FOG

For two days only, March 7th and 8th, book lovers can pick up a FREE Kindle edition of CHILDREN OF THE FOG, a must-read, breath-stopping, bestselling thriller by Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

"A chilling and tense journey into every parent's deepest fear." 

―Scott Nicholson, The Red Church

YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO MAKE A DECISION:

Let A Kidnapper Take Your Child, Or Watch Your Son Die.

Choose!

Sadie O'Connell is a bestselling author and a proud mother. But her life is about to spiral out of control. After her six-year-old son Sam is kidnapped by a serial abductor, she nearly goes insane. But it isn't just the fear and grief that is ripping her apart. It's the guilt. Sadie is the only person who knows what the kidnapper looks like. And she can't tell a soul. For if she does, her son will be sent back to her in "little bloody pieces".

When Sadie's unfaithful husband stumbles across her drawing of the kidnapper, he sets into play a series of horrific events that sends her hurtling over the edge. Sadie's descent into alcoholism leads to strange apparitions and a face-to-face encounter with the monster who abducted her son--a man known only as...The Fog.

"A nightmarish thriller with a ghostly twist, CHILDREN OF THE FOG will keep you awake...and turning pages!" ―Amanda Stevens, author of The Restorer

"Reminiscent of The Lovely Bones, Cheryl Kaye Tardif weaves a tale of terror that will have you rushing to check on your children as they sleep. With exquisite prose, Children of the Fog captures you the moment you begin and doesn't let go until the very end." ―bestselling author Danielle Q. Lee, author of Inhuman

"Ripe with engaging twists and turns reminiscent of the work of James Patterson, Tardif once again tugs at the most inflexible of heartstrings…Children of the Fog possesses you from the touching beginning through to the riveting climax." ―Kelly Komm, author of Sacrifice, an award-winning fantasy

Pick up your FREE copy today ay Amazon.

WHALE SONG is featured on Cents-ible eReads

Today my bestselling novel WHALE SONG is featured on Cents-ible eReads, a new website that caters to readers looking for great ebooks at an affordable price.

Check out the post at Cents-ible eReads and pick up a copy of WHALE SONG for only $2.99 on Amazon.

Literary agent Jack Scovil passes away

I was very saddened today to discover that my former literary agent, Jack Scovil of Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency, passed away on February 23, 2012.

Jack was my first and only literary agent, and he believed in me when very few people did. Even though we parted (on friendly terms) as agent and client a couple of years ago, I have always considered him to be a friend and supporter, a genuinely caring man who represented me with professionalism and enthusiasm.

We came so close to a movie and major book deal, and I never got the chance to tell him that WHALE SONG is now an international bestseller. He would have been happy to know that because he knew it was my dream.

When I told him a couple of months ago that I had ventured into publishing other authors, he wished me well and said he'd consider submitting manuscripts to me.

There is nothing better for a writer than to have someone like Jack on your "team," always telling you you're gonna make it, that your writing is worth reading. I can still hear his voice...

Jack Scovil will always be a highlight of my career and I'll never forget him.

Thank you, Jack. Rest in peace.