Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

It's that time when I have another go at tweaking the rules and getting a showcase for one of our own talented members.

Your nominations for January will be books by an independent or self-published author, an author-member, in fact, of which we have quite a few in the group

So...
1) Nominations are open from now. CLOSING DATE is 20th December
2) Anyone can nominate up to TWO indie books (must be shelved as MG on Goodreads), ONE of which can be their own book.
3) Any nominations which appear to be from sockpuppets will be deleted. If you don't know what a sockpuppet is, you don't need to know or find out! My decision is final.
4) No nominations will be accepted from members who join after I post this. [3 and 4 are to prevent spam and mischief-making]
5) after nominations close the BOTM will be drawn at random - each will be given a number and an independent adjudicator will use a random number generator to pick.
6) Authors nominated must be willing and able to provide a given number of their ebook free or at a very low price (99c).
7) We will have two discussion threads, only one of which the author can participate in (the second will hopefully be an author interview to start)
8) Books we have previously read will not be included in the ballot - but sequels are fine.

I know it can be difficult to know whether a book is by an indie author: clues are - books without a well known name as the publisher; no paperback versions or paperbacks published by Amazon/Createspace; author not a Goodreads author means they are probably not indies, but the other way round doesn't work. I will check them all and delete any nominations that do not appear to qualify.

You may simply go through the Author's Corner where authors are allowed to list their books and tell you more about them.

If I am unable to contact the winning author after nominations close to check book availability and arrange an interview, I reserve the right to try again with another pick.

So... your nominations, please - up to two, and no more than one of your own books!

Well, when we devised these rules we didn't expect to put people off nominating their own books entirely!
Maybe nobody with a book to sell visits the BOTM area.

Ah well.

I'm going to nominate a couple of books, one by a member, and the other by me....

The Golden Wizard (The Scrolls of Zndaria #1) by J S Jaeger - I read this in 2016 and interviewed Jaeger for the A to Z Challenge that year. (https://jemimapett.com/blog/2016/04/3...)
I haven't checked whether she has brought out more in the series... must do that!

Willoughby the Narrator (The Princelings of the East #7) by Jemima Pett
Despite being book 7 of a 10-book series, I think Willoughby is a good place to jump in. He tells his own story from his abrupt arrival on the scene to when he has to change career from being an itinerant story-teller (with a sideline in espionage), thus covering all the major events in the series so far.

I will be brave and nominate my own book, Montgomery Schnauzer P.I. and the Case of the Stealthy Cat Burglar.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

It is a tale of found-family, stolen diamonds, and a dog who thinks he's a detective.

Monty is abandoned shelter dog who desperately needs a successful adoption. His life depends on it. He struggles to bond with his rescuer, made more difficult because he believes he is destined to be a great detective. If he can solve the diamond theft in his new neighborhood, maybe then she will want to keep him and be his forever family.

P.S.: if my book is selected, I will make it free for you all to read.

I would also like to nominate "WARNED: The Astrologer's Prophecy (EERIE TALES FROM THE EAST)", indie published by the talented Mahtab Narsimhan.

https://www.amazon.com/WARNED-Astrolo...

I am having technology problems (I’m currently online in a supermarket)

If I haven’t posted the book choice by 21st, please would one of the Mods do the pick and post the result. Thanks.

And… the random number generator says #4–WARNED : The Astrologer's Prophecy

Rebecca wrote: "And… the random number generator says #4–WARNED : The Astrologer's Prophecy"

Oh, goodie. I've had this book for a bit, trying to fit it into my reading schedule. Now, with it being the BOTM, I can move it up my TBR and read it! LOL.

Cool! I think this is a great book.

Well, I haven't managed to contact the author about an interview, so Timothy if you have contact details, please message me with them. It's available at a low price for the kindle version on Amazon.

I have an email address for Mahtab. I can send it to you, but I haven't figured out how to direct message via Goodreads. I send you a friend request; maybe that will help. If you want, you can email me, and I will reply with Mahtab's info.

My email is: info {at-sign] TimothyForner {dot} com

P.S.: I have one free copy of WARNED from a giveaway that I did not need to win (already have and have read this wonderful book). If anyone wants it, DM or email me. First one through may have it.

Jemima wrote: "Well, when we devised these rules we didn't expect to put people off nominating their own books entirely!
Maybe nobody with a book to sell visits the BOTM area.

Ah well.

I'm going to nominate a c..."

Jemima - thank you for this nomination! I've been quiet in this group for a few months. I hope to catch up and share my thoughts on the BOTM threads soon.