Want some free books in exchange for writing a review?

WritersReaders.com is looking for people who love reading to review the stacks of books that are pouring in to a new book review program.

If you enjoy reading, don't mind getting a free book (or 2...or 5) and like to write reviews, then this is for you!

From the newsletter TIPS for WRITERS:

We have tons of books and not enough readers to review them...if you know someone that would love to read and review books please send them my way. It’s easy, they can pick what they want, there is no timeline, the book is free, all we need are interested readers. Your help is appreciated.

For more information, please contact Jerry D. Simmons.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
Canadian suspense author

Over the past few months I've been participating in small Random Acts of Kindness. I love leaving behind a novel for someone, and I've found my favorite RAK place at the new Starbucks at 39th Ave and 17th St in Edmonton, AB.

I go there often to write. I sit in the far corner with my laptop.

It was after my trip to Mexico last February that I realized how much fun it can be to leave a book for someone. So I started occasionally leaving a book on the table by the cream/lid/stir stick display table at Starbucks.

I have left a copy of each of my books, each on a different day over a period of a couple of months. Sometimes I put it on the table as soon as I get there to write. Sometimes I have left a copy right before I leave.

I started off writing a note inside the cover that explained to the finder that it was a gift--to take it and read it. Every now and then I'd look up from what I was writing and check the table. Darn! The book's still there! I'd go back to work.

I found that the novel was sometimes there over night and that people were too timid to open the book, so they missed reading my message.

Recently, I tried a new tactic. I put a copy (I think of Divine Intervention) on the table, with a post-it note right on the cover. Throughout the day, I glanced at the table. Sometimes I held my breath when I saw someone standing nearby.

Ironically, I have NEVER actually seen the people who have accepted my gifts. Never seen them, and never heard from them--until a few days ago...

Moe gave me permission to post this email online:

Hi Cheryl,

I walked into a Starbucks one day and as I was stirring my tall dark roast I noticed a novel sitting on the table next to me with a note on it. I read the note and you know what it said. I was with my brother and we were both moved by it. Needless to say I took the book home with me. I have read about half of it now and am enjoying it very much. I would like to thank you for your kindness and would like to know where I could get a copy of Whale Song and any other works that you have published. Again thank you for your generosity and I will pass the word along that you tell a great yarn.

sincerely Moe

I have to say that receiving this email made me smile. (Thanks, Moe! You made my day!) Although the idea behind Random Acts of Kindness is to give, not receive, I have to admit that it is really nice to know that the person who accepted my gift actually enjoyed it. It also felt great to know that the right person had found my novel.

Now that's what you call...Divine Intervention!

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
author of Divine Intervention, Whale Song and The River

Why not choose a novel that has impacted many people's lives--WHALE SONG (published by Kunati Books).

Libraries worldwide will benefit from including Whale Song in their collection for the following reasons:

• Whale Song appeals to adults and young adult readers (7-108).
• Whale Song offers a unique cultural experience with a west coast, Canadian flavor.
• Whale Song reveals an inspiring message of hope that has already changed people's lives.
• And Whale Song gives readers an escape from the "every day" and characters you'll love and remember.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song

Cheryl Kaye Tardif novels ~ CANADIAN SUSPENSE WITH A KILLER TWIST

Booklist raves, “Tardif, already a big hit in Canada …a name to reckon with south of the border.”

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author who enthusiastically tackles sensitive questions and terrifying scenarios that most people don’t like to even think about. From psychic investigators, abuse in the foster care system, serial killers, fountain of youth serums, nanotechnology, conspiracies, bullying, racism, assisted suicide, child abductions, sexual assault, alcoholism, drug addiction, mind control and more, she delves into the human psyche and picks at our worst fears.

Cheryl’s published novels include:

• Whale Song (2007)
• The River
• Divine Intervention
• Whale Song (2003 out of print first edition)
  

Cheryl has completed her next novel, Children of the Fog, a chilling novel that is part suspense and part horror. Children of the Fog explores a parent's worse nightmare. 'You have ten seconds to make a decision: let a madman take your child, or watch your son die. Choose!'

She is now working on Divine Justice, the second in the Divine mystery series, and she is working on a nonfiction book for parents who are grieving the loss of a child.

News Update: Cheryl recently signed with a respected New York literary agency.

Born in Vancouver, BC, Canada, Cheryl Kaye Tardif was a 'military brat' and a ‘military wife' who has lived all across Canada and in Bermuda. She now resides in Edmonton, Alberta, with her husband Marc, her daughter Jessica and the family dog.

“Cheryl Kaye Tardif specializes in mile-a-minute pot-boiler mysteries.” ―Edmonton Sun

www.cherylktardif.com

www.whalesongbook.com

www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com

Kunati Books: www.kunati.com/cheryl-kaye-tardif

I just love days like today--days when I open my email and find all sorts of lovely emails and bits of "gold". (It sure beats the other days when I get 500 bits of junk mail and sp-m.)

Today, I received an email from Queen Ursula. Okay, she's not a real queen--well, not in the true sense of the word, but she's a queen at heart. Ursula is a member of the Red Hat Society; that's that wonderful group of women found sporting red and purple hats and scarves and pins...

Queen Ursula (okay, I just really like calling her that) is organizing an authors' event in November, and I'm quite honored to be one of the authors invited to attend. She asked me to sign my novels and tell the ladies what great Christmas gifts they make. And they do! I am sure that Whale Song, in particular, will do very well since it's the perfect gift for any woman, 8-108. So her emails today were all very exciting to read, and I can't wait.

Then the next email I opened was from Jeff Reid at Storycasting.com. He has given me permission to post part of it here:

You've helped us create a new way to discuss books (and potential movies), and we appreciate it. We'd especially like to thank those who told friends and relatives about the fun we're having, including the individuals and authors who promoted the site on websites and blogs. In the first 6 weeks of public operation, we had over 20,000 page views by 4,000 people from 72 countries, speaking 32 different languages - and they're still coming!

As I'm sure you can tell, several people have "join dates" from back in February. These were our original beta testers, and the most active and helpful of all was "Dano". We're getting some nice shirts made with the Storycasting.com logo on it, and Dano is getting one for his early, frequent, and useful comments. Thanks Dano!

Catherine Ryan Hyde was the first author to come on the site - on opening day, there she was, providing an "author's storycast" and then adding us to her MySpace page. Thanks, and a shirt, Catherine! Authors Cheryl Kaye Tardif, Tristi Pinkston, plus Stella and Audra Price, have also done a great job of advertising the site, and in bringing other authors to our attention. Ladies, a shirt to each of you!...

Again, we really thank you for your support and positive reaction to the
site...

Jeff Reid and the staff at Storycasting.com
"for the movie in your mind"

You can imagine my surprise to be thanked by Jeff, and to be awarded a t-shirt. Thanks, Jeff!

Now for those who haven't checked out this site yet, 'just do it'. :) It's a lot of fun. The concept is easy and one I identified with as soon as I heard of the site. You know how when you read a book you sometimes picture an actor in the lead role? Maybe you picture actors for all the lead roles. Well, with Storycasting, you can have some fun selecting real life actors you think would fit the roles in your favorite books.

Go check it out! Whale Song is listed there. Did I select good actors? Do you have someone else in mind? Jasi and the team from Divine Intervention are on there too. And just look who I see playing Brandon Walsh or Ben Roberts. And the gang from The River are there--probably my most favorite casting. Any Johnny Depp Fans out there?

Check out http://www.storycasting.com/, sign up as a member (it's free!) and feel free to cast all my books and others with your favorite actors. I'd love to see who you envision!

Now I'll just check my emails, blog on my gazillion blogs, work on my next novel, and wait for my t-shirt...

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com/