The Soul Heart Series by Ally Aldridge is a YA Contemporary Fantasy Series set in the UK about shifters. Ocean Heart is book 1 in the series.
Ocean Heart has 50% Off in the Smashwords End of Year Sale!
Why Smashwords?
Smashwords enables you to read your eBooks on whatever device/app you prefer. This puts you, the reader, in control of your books.
The Smashwords End Of Year Sale
The Sale is a great way to discover new books and authors, and grab a bargain. Go check out what is on offer. You might find a new favourite!
Click here to browse the Smashwords End Of Year Sale!
There are tons of ways to own your very own copy of Ocean Heart. Check out my webpage About Ocean Heart for full details, but here are a few:
Some of these links are affiliate links. Please visit my about Affiliate Links page for more details.
You can buy a signed copy of Ocean Heart from Ko-Fi, and there are two options:
Personalised & Hand Signed
This is limited to the UK due to postage costs. First, I order the book, sign it, and then send to you. If you’d like a personalised message for you or someone special, I can do this.
This was the method used for the first 20 copies of Ocean Heart bought during my book signing event at Stillwater Books.
Now, you can get a hand signed copy by supporting me on Ko-Fi & visiting my Ko-Fi Shop.
Personalise & Digitally Signed
This is limited to countries with an Ingram printing facility. I will design a personalised page for you, that will be added to the book when printed. Ingram then will send out directly to you (saving on international postage costs/emissions).
Currently there is only one copy of Ocean Heart like this that I gifted to a TikToker.
Now, you can get a digitally signed copy by supporting me on Ko-Fi & visiting my Ko-Fi Shop.
Bookshop.org
I recently blogged a ton of reasons to shop with Bookshop.org but the main one is to support your local independent bookshop.
Amazon
Amazon encourages shoppers to leave product reviews, helping consumers to make more informed decisions.
If you are not UK/US, try this universal link to find Ocean Heart at your local Zon: http://getbook.at/OceanHeart
Smashwords
The great thing about Smashwords is you can buy your eBook and choose the format, enabling you to read on whatever device is your favourite. In addition your eBook is saved to your Smashwords library, so you keep it forever.
Amazon
Kindle is one of the most popular eReaders both as a tablet and app.
If Smashwords and Amazon aren’t your thing, you can get Ocean Heart from many other popular eBook stores. Click this link to discover more eBook buying options: https://books2read.com/OceanHeart
[kofi]
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If you know me, you’ll know I’m very naughty when it comes to returning books. In addition, I lose books! And, my youngest destroys books. Library fines are common.
But, during the pandemic my fines got to a point where they barred my account! ?
I was a bit scared & embarrassed to go into the library to pay my fines. But, as always, the local librarians were lovely. We sorted it out and I can borrow books again.
When I released Ocean Heart last year, I approached my local library to recommend they stock a copy. And, they did!
It felt too good to be true. So, I searched using Suffolk County Libraries app to check it was really there. It was, but out on loan, with another Suffolk library!
A few weeks later, I checked to see if it was back. It had returned to Felixstowe but was on the Reserved Shelf.
When I paid my fines, I asked what the Reserved Shelf meant. It meant someone had requested it! My book is in demand! And, it had already been collected! ?
I must say I’m relieved. I love my library and would hate them to waste money on an unwanted book. As a new author building my audience, I worried I might be too unknown. I feared nobody would be interested in Ocean Heart. It makes me so happy to see it’s always checked out.
If you want to borrow the paperback, you’ll need to reserve it. It is in their collection, but there’s a queue. ?
For students of Felixstowe Academy, there are a few copies available from their school library.
Overdrive is an eBook app used by libraries. You can search for Ocean Heart and request a copy to read. I don’t think they’ve ordered the eBook yet but all you have to do is ask.
If you love reading eBooks, supporting your library, and supporting authors, get this app and start enjoying a vast range of eBooks for FREE using your library card.
It’s easy to find my book searching by title or my name, but to be certain you found the right copy, use the ISBN.
There you have it, Ocean Heart is available for you to read for free using your library card. If it’s not currently stocked by your local library, just ask them to order it in.
Below are some affiliate links for buying Ocean Heart. You can learn more about these on my Affilate Disclosure Page.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1092737?ref=Redfae
[kofi]
This post will contain affiliate links. You can learn more about these on my Affiliate Disclosure page.
There are tons of good reasons to support bookshop.org which was why I created an affiliate account with them. But, I strongly believe you shouldn’t recommend something you have not tried yourself. So…
What a good excuse to go book shopping!
I won some book merchandise in an Instagram giveaway from this author. I then felt compelled to buy the matching book. How could I not?
Ordering was super simple. I searched Bookshop.org, found Joy’s Summer Love Playlist, added it to my basket, and checked out like I would any other online store.
The only extra step was choosing which bookshop to support. Bookshop.org gives the sale to independent bookshops. I choose my local bookshop, Stillwater Books, to support my local high street.
My book arrived in a cardboard book mail envelope – exactly like Amazon would.
Just to be sure that my first buy wasn’t a fluke, I had to buy another book – a great excuse to preorder my all time favourite authors latest release!
@redfae7 #favouriteauthor #newrelease #bookmail #redwolf #yafantasy #yafiction #fairytaleretelling #redridinghood #bookshoporg #bookshop #hardback #unboxing
♬ Wolves #1 – Selena Gomez
Again, my order came packed perfectly. No damage. No issues. And, so incredibly gorgeous.
Supporting Independent Bookshops
Bookshop.org support local bookstores by creating an easy to use online store to rival Amazon. I’ve nothing against Amazon but I don’t want to see independent bookshops wiped from the high street because they can’t compete with Goliath. Thanks to Bookshop.org the battle field is more even, giving consumers more choice.
Bookstores can earn commission for supporting Bookshop.org. They get 30% if a buyer uses their affiliate link. In addition 10% from sales goes into a kitty that is shared between all bookstores in the program, so they can make money even if they didn’t make a sale!
Bookshop.org will tell customers about upcoming events and book deals at their favourite store, and give the store your email so they can keep in touch to with their newsletter.
Bookshop.org do all the leg work for the sale. Books are distributed by Gardners, and they promise to keep deliveries Carbon Neutral.
Bookshop.org can connect people with their local bookshop. I expect you know where yours is. But, if you’re on holiday in the UK, use their map to find when the nearest independent bookstore is.
They have an awesome affiliate program!
You may have seen my Affiliate links on my site. One of the affiliate programs I’ve joined is Bookshop.org
My own Bookshop
It’s only virtual but to have my own bookshop is a dream come true. Okay, it’s not a real bookshop, it’s an affiliate shop, but I get to pick the books to go on my “shelves” aka lists.
Check out Redfae Bookshop
Book List Recommendations
Not only can you share links to your books, but you can create book lists to recommend a collection of books.
Here’s a Book List I created for my Redfae bookshop.org to showcase indie books. I definitely should be using this feature more!
Anything else…
Bookshop.org accept National Book Tokens. If you got one as a gift, add it to your account and spend it.
Well, the only problems I’ve had are that I can only create affiliate links for the UK Bookshop.org. I’ve applied for a US account too but they’ve not approved me, so, I think it is restricted to my own country.
They also don’t have book reviews or ratings. I like readings reviews as they help me decide if a book is right for me.
I’ve not yet made any money from it but I’m not bothered about that as I see it as a free tool to embed books in my website that is aesthetically pleasing.
These things are very minor and don’t put me off using or recommending Bookshop.org . And, maybe one day in the future they will have those features or it’ll become an income venue for me.
You should look at getting a Bookshop.org account if you recommend books for others to read. I love it, the ethics, and how easy it is to use.
If you are thinking of buying a product using an affiliate link, you should because it costs you nothing extra. It just helps out the person making the recommendation, and in this case it also helps independent bookshops.
Also, buy Ocean Heart by Ally Aldridge. ?
[kofi]
If you enjoyed this you will like:
World Indie Warriors is a nonprofit organisation that has a mission to bring indie authors together so they can collaborate and help each other. They are a lovely bunch and a joy to work with.
Over on Instagram @worldindiewarriors have created a reading challenge for indie books.
Readers are encouraged to get a line of three by reading books on the bingo cards.
When readers post their review, WIW would like readers to tag them in it.
My debut novel Ocean Heart is featured on one of the bingo boards!
If you want to join in, you might be interested to know that Ocean Heart is available to borrow from all good libraries. The library might need the ISBN to order it in. You may find this pic useful.
As a supporter of indie authors & indie books, I already have a few of the books ticked off the bingo card, but no lines.
Check out the reviews below:
Crown of Conspiracy by Kara S. Weaver review
Sorceress of Truth by J.D. Groom review
Agent Undone by Cassidy Reyne review
Duet Rubato by Claerie Kavanaugh review
Amelia’s Story by Nicola Hebron review
I’ve been meaning to post the first three chapters of Ocean Heart online ever since I published. I wanted people to be able to sample the book before they buy it.
Amazon does allow a peep inside but not everyone shops with Amazon.
I decided to post Ocean Heart to two places:
I’ve been on Wattpad for years but I’ve struggled to get seen amongst all the voices there. I liked how easy it was to use.
You can follow me @Redfae on Wattpad and read Ocean Heart there.
I’ve had an account here for years but never really used it as I didn’t find it as user friendly. I recently got encouraged to give it another go as it’s being revamped.
So far, I am impressed. It’s a lot more user friendly appears to be more social and engaging than Wattpad. I’m looking forward to their new app coming soon.
You can follow me @Redfae on Movellas and read Ocean Heart there.
Both the above sites are currently free to join. Writers post their stories (content) and readers enjoy it, comment, and rate it.
I also included in the books about when Ocean Heart has been given away free. This isn’t something I can do all the time.
I also reminded people that Ocean Heart can be ordered in by libraries. If you have a library card, you can borrow and read Ocean Heart if your library stock it. If they don’t, you can ask them and they’ll need the ISBN.
I hope you enjoy the chapters enough to treat yourself to a full copy. I also look forward to connecting with you on either platform or social media.
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Ocean Heart is free on Smashwords
[kofi]
Felixstowe Magazine recently reached out to me and asked if I’d be willing to do an interview with them about my book Ocean Heart.
We set on the title Mermaids in Felixstowe and I was set questions to answer. You can read the article using the link below.
https://www.thefelixstoweapp.com/blog/c/0/i/57284190/mermaids-felixstowe
For a month where I didn’t have much planned, it is filling up fast. Here are the highlights I don’t want you to miss!
Sky Heart needs Beta Readers
If you’re interested in helping me out by Beta Reading Sky Heart, please check out my post asking for sign ups!
Ocean Heart is free for July
To celebrate Ocean Heart now being available on Smashwords it is in their Sale, making it free for July 2021.
Indie Summer Book Fayre (31 July to 1 Aug)?
I am one of the authors taking part in this event. You can see the full line up in my recent blog post!
[kofi]
I’m excited to be one of the authors taking part in the Indie Author Summer Fayre 2021.
It’s a great opportunity to discover new books by UK Indie authors. Here is the summer fayre line up!
This event is happening over two days on Facebook. Join using the link below ?
Also, these seems like a good time to remind you that Ocean Heart is currently free on Smashwords for July 2021.
[kofi]
My paperback is in libraries and I wanted my eBook to be available too. You see growing up, I really valued the library. I couldn’t afford loads of books but the library gave me access to them.
It felt like Christmas walking through the doors and knowing I could take home any book. Pre- pandemic, I took my kids to the library so they could experience the same joy I had (and still do). My kids are always so excited, I struggle to control them but the lovely staff never judge. It’s given me a greater appreciation of my mum for taking me and my siblings (three under five) to the library so often, and hauling home the heavy bounty of books.
These memories have made the library important to me. And, I know I’m not alone. That’s why it’s been so important to me to have my books in libraries.
But it turns out, Overdrive will not deal with authors directly. So, I had to find an aggregator to be the middle man. They recommend D2D or Smashwords. I chose Smashwords as during my recent review of Aggregators I was impressed by their own store and the deals they do to promote indie books.
Now, Ocean Heart is on Smashwords, I celebrated by enrolled it in their Summer/Winter Sale. This means Ocean Heart is FREE for July 2021!
If you are looking for your next Summer Read go check out the sale. You can download Ocean Heart for FREE. I didn’t need to enter the code but if it asks, it’s: SW100
You can then read the ePub on whatever app is your favourite eBook reader.
If you missed this deal, you should now be able to borrow the paperback and eBook at your library. If it’s not in their catalogue, ask how to request it in. It helps to provide your librarian with the ISBN number.
Below are affiliate links:
Here’s the link to the Summer/Winter sale: https://www.smashwords.com/shelves?ref=Redfae
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[kofi]
From Saturday, 19 June to Saturday, 26 June, it’s Indie Bookshop Week.
This event has been running since 2006 by Books Are My Bag. They also run other bookish events to support Indie Bookshops like the BAMB Awards and Indie Bookshop Day in October.
Stillwater Books is my local bookshop in Felixstowe.
It’s been a tough year for high street shops due to the pandemic. Many spent months closed as they weren’t deemed essential. I know, who said books aren’t essential?
Ocean Heart released on 1 Dec and the country was in lockdown. The book signing event I’d always dreamed of was looking bleak. Boris said no!
I reached out to Stillwater Books with my proposed idea, a work around solution for a book signing during lockdown. I literally happy danced when they said yes.
I promptly got to work on promoting the event. The manager was patient with me as I figured out details, how to order books, write an invoice, and all the other brand new tasks I was doing for the first time.
I signed the ordered books and brought them into the shop. I made a little video for YouTube. Customers who had preordered, then either collected from the store or arranged for local delivery.
I certainly hadn’t imagined a non-contact book signing before, but Stillwater Books worked with me to make it happen. I will always be thankful to them for helping make my dream come true.
It’s really important to shop at your local independent bookshop. In doing so, you are supporting your high street, local jobs, a small business, and treating yourself to a new read.
That’s why I love being an affiliate with Bookshop.org. Redfae Bookshop.org is my affiliate store giving recommendations on books you should buy. It connects you with a local independent bookshop for your purchase. In return you support them with your custom and I get a small commission.
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What’s a UBL & why your book needs one
Now you can preorder Ocean Heart
[kofi]
