BookBlitzer Reviews are now FREE!

We’re proud to announce that the latest version of BookBlitzer.com is now live!

The main change in this release is that the review mechanism of BookBlitzer.com has been simplified into a free-review system.  We’ve also added an Authors page which displays all the authors currently using BookBlitzer.com.

Other minor changes are that the Contacts and Publishers page/functionality has been removed, because the sweeping changes in the eBook industry has rendered them unnecessary.

The 5-Step Review system of confirmations and approvals/rejections has been changed over to the following 3-Step system:

1. Request a Review
   A Reviewer can send a review request to an Author from the Books page, or an Author can send a request to a Reviewer to review one of their books (from the Reviewers page). Once the request is accepted, the review process begins.
2. Begin the Review
   To begin a review, the Reviewer selects by what format they would like to review the book. We recommend uploading your book to Smashwords so your book is available in any format for the reviewers, and then providing a Smashwords Coupon Code for 100% of the price so the reviewers don’t have to purchase the book to review it.
3. Post the Review
   After the review is completed, the Reviewer then posts the review to the external site specified by the Author (such as Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com) or other sites.

For authors, the changes mean that there will no longer be a review-approval/rejection process, and you will no longer be paying for reviews. Your eBooks/coupon-codes will still be secured in the site, so only the reviewers you allow to review your books will be able to access them.

For reviewers, the changes mean that you will no longer be paid for reviews. However, there is still incentive to read and review books on the site since the books are provided in exchange for reviews.

IMPORTANT:  For any reviews still in progress after the upgrade date (January 15, 2012), if the review has been approved by the author, the reviewers will still be paid and the authors will still be billed for those reviews. For any reviews still in progress (not yet completed), those will be converted over to free-reviews – so please have your reviews finished by that date. If there are delays/discrepancies between when the review is completed and when the author approves the review, those reviews will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact me (Chris) directly through the website’s “Contact Us” form.

Thank you for using BookBlitzer.com!

iWriterPro Update (v1.2.0.0)

The latest version of iWriterPro (v1.2.0.0) was released yesterday, along with another price change – the software is now available for $4.95!

The new version contains several important enhancements such as export to DocX format (for Word and OpenOffice). To export your book to DocX, go to the Book Viewer tab, select DocX format, and then click “Export”.There is also a Text-to-Speech feature on the text-editor (the green “Play” button in the bottom right-hand corner), so you can have your book read back to you!

Another change was the addition of the “Cloud Docs” tab, which makes it easy to store your book online to GoogleDocs or DropBox. The “Viewer/Exporter” tab was renamed to “Book Viewer”, and a “Writing Your Book” info-bar was added above the tabs to guide users though the software when writing their book. Each Step has a clickable tip which displays additional information.

New iWriterPro Features

New iWriterPro Features

 

Lastly, a new page has been added to the website, the iWriterPro Book Gallery, which displays a list of all the books created with iWriterPro! If you’ve written a book with the software, feel free to list it on the website by clicking the “Add New Book” button at the top of the Gallery page.

“Ezekiel Watch” is now available!

Now available on the Kindle/Nook/iPad!

My newest non-fiction book is now ready for download! The book is called “Ezekiel Watch - Then They Shall Know”, a study/commentary on the regathering of Israel in Ezekiel 36-37, the Magog Invasion prophecy of Ezekiel 38-39, and the approaching Psalm 83/Jeremiah 49 wars.

Ezekiel Watch - Then They Shall Know

The synopsis for “Ezekiel Watch” is:

It’s been said that Israel is God’s timepiece – and today that clock is ticking faster than ever before. As stability in the Middle East, Europe, and America continues to deteriorate, many people are increasingly fearful and are wondering what’s going to happen next. This book examines the prophetic events of Ezekiel 36-39, the apparent precursor to those events (Psalm 83), and the recent history of Israel and the Middle East.

Many of the world events of today can be viewed as the maneuvering of game-pieces on a chessboard, with pawns on either side being conquered and removed, as the major players are moving into their final positions. And though there are wars and riots breaking out all over the world, the first of the significant End Times events has yet to occur: Ezekiel 38-39. The exciting, sobering aspect of this particular prophecy is that it appears to be on our very-near horizon, and could be literally fulfilled within our lifetimes.

The Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy describes in detail a massive attack known as the “Magog Invasion” on Israel by Russia, Iran, and the other Islamic nations of the Middle East and then God’s intervention on Israel’s behalf. This attack occurs when Israel has been regathered to her native homeland, which was unimaginable before 1948.

But before the Magog Invasion occurs, another war may transpire first: the Psalm 83 War.

“Ezekiel Watch” is available on the Kindle, Nook, iPad, and other eBook readers/distributors.

Major BookBlitzer Update!

In March earlier this year, BookBlitzer.com was released to provide an affordable mechanism for authors to have their books reviewed in an inexpensive, timely fashion. Authors could name their price for reviews and reviewers would be paid according to their book-reviews.

However, after several months of maintaining the site, it’s become clear that the paid-review services are not effective for authors or reviewers. Therefore, as of January 15, 2012, the review mechanism of BookBlitzer.com will be simplified into a free-review system.

The 5-Step Review system of confirmations and approvals/rejections will be changed over to the following 3-Step system:

1. Request a Review
   A Reviewer can send a review request to an Author from the Books page, or an Author can send a request to a Reviewer to review one of their books (from the Reviewers page). Once the request is accepted, the review process begins.

2. Begin the Review
   To begin a review, the Reviewer selects by what format they would like to review the book. We recommend uploading your book to Smashwords so your book is available in any format for the reviewers, and then providing a Smashwords Coupon Code for 100% of the price so the reviewers don’t have to purchase the book to review it.

3. Post the Review
   After the review is completed, the Reviewer then posts the review to the external site specified by the Author (such as Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com) or other sites.

For authors, the changes mean that there will no longer be a review-approval/rejection process, and you will no longer be paying for reviews. Your eBooks/coupon-codes will still be secured in the site, so only the reviewers you allow to review your books will be able to access them.

For reviewers, the changes mean that you will no longer be paid for reviews. However, there is still incentive to read and review books on the site since the books are provided in exchange for reviews.

IMPORTANT:  For any reviews still in progress after the upgrade date (January 15, 2012), if the review has been approved by the author, the reviewers will still be paid and the authors will still be billed for those reviews. For any reviews still in progress (not yet completed), those will be converted over to free-reviews – so please have your reviews finished by that date. If there are delays/discrepancies between when the review is completed and when the author approves the review, those reviews will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

It’s my hope that these changes will not be too upsetting to the current authors or reviewers and that they’ll pave the way for the site’s user/book base to grow more quickly.

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact me (Chris) directly through the website’s “Contact Us” form.

Thank you for using BookBlitzer.com!

“On the Precipice” is now available!

Now available on the Kindle/Nook/iPad!

On the Precipice

My first non-fiction book is now ready for download! The book is called “On the Precipice - Hosea Speaks to America”, a study/commentary on the Book of Hosea and the numerous parallels between ancient Israel and modern-day America.

The synopsis for “On the Precipice” is:

The Spirit of America is dying – many have grown increasingly aware of this reality since the Great Recession began, but few want to admit it. Today, America is deeply divided and filled with uncertainty, and a palpable sense of malaise has settled over her people. Could it really be that America’s best days are behind her?

We Americans used to be proud of our nation, and certain of who we were as a people. The general feeling that America was a moral and decent country was pervasive throughout the nation, if not much of the world. We proudly flew Old Glory and without reservation proclaimed that the United States of America was the greatest nation on earth.

But today that seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Now we have brief, fleeting episodes of pride in our nation around the holidays or when we hear stories of our soldiers and their bravery. But the general feeling of pride in who we are as Americans and what we stand for is fading, and no one seems to know how to get it back.

Early in America’s history, Alexander de Tocqueville wrote, “America is great because Americans are good.” If America’s greatness is fading, could it be that something has happened to her people’s goodness? And if America is in permanent decline, will we accept that fate without a fight?

In 755 BC, the prophet Hosea was called to deliver a message to another nation in decline, the Northern Kingdom of Israel. But what would Hosea say if he had been sent to modern-day America instead? And if he had been sent to us instead of Israel, would we be receptive to his message or scorn him as Israel once did?

Are we prepared to honestly look at what has happened – and what is happening – to our country? Are we prepared to examine the heart of our beloved nation and diagnose the disease that is threatening to take her very life?

“On the Precipice” is available on the Kindle, Nook, iPad, and other eBook readers/distributors.

Coming Soon: On the Precipice – Hosea Speaks to America

Coming soon to a Kindle/Nook/iPad near you!

On the Precipice

My first non-fiction book is almost ready for release! The book is called “On the Precipice - Hosea Speaks to America”, a study/commentary on the Book of Hosea and the numerous parallels between ancient Israel and modern-day America.

The synopsis for “On the Precipice” is:

The Spirit of America is dying – many have grown increasingly aware of this reality since the Great Recession began, but few want to admit it. Today, America is deeply divided and filled with uncertainty, and a palpable sense of malaise has settled over her people. Could it really be that America’s best days are behind her?

We Americans used to be proud of our nation, and certain of who we were as a people. The general feeling that America was a moral and decent country was pervasive throughout the nation, if not much of the world. We proudly flew Old Glory and without reservation proclaimed that the United States of America was the greatest nation on earth.

But today that seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Now we have brief, fleeting episodes of pride in our nation around the holidays or when we hear stories of our soldiers and their bravery. But the general feeling of pride in who we are as Americans and what we stand for is fading, and no one seems to know how to get it back.

Early in America’s history, Alexander de Tocqueville wrote, “America is great because Americans are good.” If America’s greatness is fading, could it be that something has happened to her people’s goodness? And if America is in permanent decline, will we accept that fate without a fight?

In 755 BC, the prophet Hosea was called to deliver a message to another nation in decline, the Northern Kingdom of Israel. But what would Hosea say if he had been sent to modern-day America instead? And if he had been sent to us instead of Israel, would we be receptive to his message or scorn him as Israel once did?

Are we prepared to honestly look at what has happened – and what is happening – to our country? Are we prepared to examine the heart of our beloved nation and diagnose the disease that is threatening to take her very life?

The release date for “On the Precipice” is November 22, available on the Kindle, Nook, iPad, and other eBook readers/distributors.

“The Siege of Zion” is now available!

Now available on a Kindle/Nook/iPad near you!

The Siege of Zion - Book 3 of "The Time of Jacob's Trouble"

The Siege of Zion
(Book 3 of “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”)

I’m proud to announce that my latest book, “The Siege of Zion” is now available on Amazon, Smashwords, and at Barnes & Noble!

The third book of “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble” opens several days after the close of “The Son of Shinar” and moves through the first second half of the Tribulation period (the Great Tribulation) and on into the Millennium.

The synopsis for “The Siege of Zion” is:

In one day, Supreme Leader David Medine desecrated the Jewish Temple and set up his image in the Holy of Holies.

In one day, both the government and military of Israel have been overthrown, and the nation has been placed under the authority of the World Union – under David Medine.

In one day in 1948, the State of Israel was born – and in one day, the State of Israel has been destroyed.

And now, rumors of a worldwide financial system are emerging, along with something referred to only as the ‘Signets’.

The Great Tribulation has begun and the future of Israel – along with all humanity – hangs in the balance.

As with ‘The Last Aliyah’ and ‘The Son of Shinar’, this title is being published exclusively to the eBook market rather than going through a traditional publisher.

The entire trilogy of “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble” will be tentatively released in both eBook and paperback formats in December.

The book is also available for review on BookBlitzer.com

Excerpt from “The Siege of Zion”

Below is a short excerpt from “The Siege of Zion,” the third book in “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble Trilogy”:

The door buzzer rang and the sentry looked up with a scowl. A large group of men stood outside surrounded by guards.

Great – more detainees to process. He pressed a button to release the door-lock and the prisoners were herded into the room.

“How many this time?” he asked the lead-guard.

“Eighteen – a couple of them put up a decent fight, so they might be ex-IDF or something,” the guard replied.

“Fine. Put them in Holding Cell #2 and take the rest down to Processing.”

“Bag and tag?”

“Yeah – give them all Signets until we can figure out who they are and what to do with them.”

The guards began sorting the prisoners into two groups, and the detainees began moving about. In the confusion, one of the taller prisoners jumped towards one of the guards and attempted to disarm him. But another one of the guards quickly caught him from behind and knocked him out with a high-intensity shot from his taser.

“Was that one of the IDFers?” the sentry asked.

“Yeah, he didn’t get very far though, huh?”

“There might be another attempt then – take them all down to Processing and tag them.”

“What about him?” the guard asked, pointing to the fallen prisoner.

“He gets his Signet first.”

“The Siege of Zion” – Book 3 of the New Trilogy!

Coming soon to a Kindle/Nook/iPad near you!

The Siege of Zion - Book 3 of "The Time of Jacob's Trouble"

The Siege of Zion
(Book 3 of “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”)

The third book of “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble” is almost ready for release! This book begins a few days after the close of “The Son of Shinar” and moves through the Great Tribulation period.

The synopsis for “The Siege of Zion” is:

In one day, Supreme Leader David Medine desecrated the Jewish Temple and set up his image in the Holy of Holies.

In one day, both the government and military of Israel have been overthrown, and the nation has been placed under the authority of the World Union – under David Medine.

In one day in 1948, the State of Israel was born – and in one day, the State of Israel has been destroyed.

And now, rumors of a worldwide financial system are emerging, along with something referred to only as the ‘Signets’.

The Great Tribulation has begun and the future of Israel – along with all humanity – hangs in the balance.

As with the prior books in the series, this title is being published exclusively to the eBook market rather than going through a traditional publisher.

The release date for “The Siege of Zion” is October 15. The entire trilogy will be tentatively released in both eBook and paperback formats in December.

Posting Amazon Reviews on Your Website

After looking at the Kindle Lovers website this morning, I was trying to figure out how to get the iframe url for Customer Reviews on Amazon so I could post them to my own site (without copying/pasting). Linking to the Reviews page directly would include all the extra fluff on Amazon, which doesn’t look good. I just wanted the reviews.

I found this link/site (http://www.downintheflood.com/amazon-ecs-test/ItemLookupReview_v2.php5) that works pretty well.

To use it, just enter in your book ASIN, click the button, and then copy the url from the “see product reviews” link at the bottom of the page. This is the src url that you’ll put in the iframe, which links to a page on Amazon without all the menus and extra stuff on their site.