Outlandish Dreams Come True! How I Made the Best Seller List With #Outlander

#Outlandish Dreams Come True!

When I first read the Outlander series from Diana Gabaldon in the early 2000's, I fell in love with the characters, the richness of the storytelling and the details of how people lived back in the seventeen hundreds before the Scottish uprising. 

I never imagined that I would write a book, much less that if I did, it would end up on the best seller list with her novels, but that happened this week! Squeee!!

Check it out here!

Eventually, I read her book, the Outlandish Companion where Diana discussed her somewhat haphazard way of writing chapters and later connecting them to each other and it really inspired me to consider writing a novel. I always thought you had to be super structured, which I definitely am not. 

I took a while deciding on what to write about but after experiencing 4 major hurricanes in six-weeks in central Florida in the summer of 2004 I felt I had the perfect backdrop for an exciting series. 

It wasn't until a decade later that I finished fiddling around with Stealing Time and took the plunge publishing it. Later published Shattering Time. I'm currently working on the third book in the series, Killing Time. You can hear me talking a bit about Killing Time in my latest video chat on my website here.

Watch the video here!

Living History

What fascinates me the most about Outlander was the concept of living as a modern woman in the past, and the living conditions and social norms of the times. I had a lot of fun researching all of those historical details and in a way living there vicariously through my characters, albeit it in the comfort of my writing cave, and not subject to the horrors my characters are put through. 

One of the shocking things I learned about 1752 London was that as a wedding gift in a lower class society, the woman's family would have all her teeth pulled and give her dentures. This way the husband wouldn't have to pay to have her teeth removed as they rotted in their mouths over time. Can you imagine that? So glad I'm living now and not then!

Time Travel Romance Best Seller Category on Amazon

I placed a BookBub ad, and if you know what that is you know it's really hard to get a spot. I finally did and the results were incredible! All three of my books ranked on the Best Seller List on Amazon. 

In the top ten best sellers in Time Travel Romance, 

9 of them were from the Outlander Series, 

and at #2 was my book, Shattering Time!

Time Travel Fiction Best Seller

Also, last week I outranked Stephen King's Time Travel Fiction book, 11/23/1963, one of my recent favorite time travel novels!

Best Rankings Ever!

I set Stealing Time (book 1) for free and it spent 3 days at the #1 spot in both categories (Time Travel Romance and Historical Fantasy) and ranked as high as #16 in the entire Free Kindle Store.

Shattering Time (Book 2)

I put my second book on sale for 99cents and it ranked the highest it ever has reached --  Time Travel Romance #2 under Outlander. 

Three Books in the Best Seller Categories!

Now that my books are back to regular price my books are still ranking really well with all three in the bestseller category!

Here is the breakdown Saturday afternoon, Shattering Time (book 2) ranks at #7 in Time Travel Romance, Stealing Time (book 1) is ranked at #29 in the same category and Blow is ranked #6 in One Hour Teen and Young Adult Short Reads!

 Blow's Ranking the same day!

Thank you for all of your support! 

If you're curious about my books you can read the first five chapters of Stealing Time and Shattering Time by signing up for my newsletter here! 

I also have a Free Non-Fiction story for free exclusive to my newsletter followers for signing up. Sign up here!

Sign up here!

Review for Stealing Time:

Buy it here!

Review for Shattering Time

Buy it here!

For a limited time, I'm offering a free copy of my best seller short-story Blow to the first ten people who comment on this blog post. 

Review for Blow!

Buy here!

Hurricane Harvey Relief Discount

Hurricane Harvey Relief Discount on my Hurricane Series

The horrible scenes coming out of southeast Texas this week as a result of Hurricane Harvey breaks my heart. I truly am in awe of the strength and soul of Texas and their ability to tackle the worse disaster in American history with class and neighborly love.

Like many of you, I want to do something to help and I'm contacting my local Food Bank and Rotary Clubs to see how I can help locally in their broader projects to support victims of Harvey as well as donating to the larger organizations helping in disaster relief. 

I wanted to do something more personal as well and I've been struggling with something related to my writing to help in a small way. I don't think I need to encourage anyone to help out, but I did want to offer a little bit of thanks for supporting the relief effort. 

If you're interested in my Stealing Time Series set during the hurricanes of 2004 I'm offering the biggest discount I've ever offered at 30% off one or both paperbacks. To take advantage of this please email a screen shot of your Hurricane Harvey Relief donation to a reputable organization (not sure click here for ideas from NPR) to this email: 
kjwaters@protonmail.com or click here for the link. Sign up for my newsletter here and join the fun!  Insider deals, behind the scenes looks at my work and more!

Hurricane Charley and Time Travel back to 18 Century London

As you may know already I'm an author who was inspired to write my time travel series after living through the hurricanes that hit Florida in 2004. Hurricane Charley was the last Category 4 hurricane to hit the United States before Harvey devastated Texas last week. Charley is the backdrop for the first book in the series Stealing Time and you can read a sample, reviews, and the blurb here or buy on Amazon (ebook is only $2.99) here. 

Hurricane Frances and Time Travel to The Lost Colony in 1588 Early America

This weekend is the anniversary of Hurricane Frances that hit Florida 13 years ago only a few weeks after Charley hit. This storm was the size of Texas and impacted nearly the entire state of Florida and like Harvey was a slow mover with a lot of rain. It is also the backdrop for the second book in the series, Shattering Time. You can read the reviews and blurb here or buy on Amazon (ebook is only $3.99) here.

Thankfully, I wasn't affected in any serious way by the storms, just some minor damage to my Florida room, but it was definitely a dramatic welcome to the state, as I had just moved there three days before Charley struck and within six week four major hurricanes hit the state. 

I was going to launch a blog series with storm stories from my readers, but as the events of this disaster Hurricane Harvey have given us all enough to focus on, I've decided to put that on hold for a bit. I'll continue that blog idea in the future and would love for you to send me any storm stories you'd like to share. 

Thank you for reading my blog.
Please subscribe!

I'm writing the third book in the series (Killing Time) and working on the follow up to my short story Blow. It would be really exciting to be inspired by your experiences. Please send anything you you'd like to kjwaters@protonmail.com or click here. 

My books are available here:

Blow: http://geni.us/blowblog

Stealing Time: http://geni.us/StealingBlog and only 99 cents in the UK site on Amazon this week.

Shattering Time: http://geni.us/ShatterBlog

Sign up for my newsletter here and join the fun! 

In the Spotlight -- My Interview with SJ Hermann and MJ LaBeff

I'm In the Spotlight this week!

My latest podcast interview is available here on Zcast, a platform connected to twitter. This interview aired live on Twitter last Tuesday, January 10, 2017 and has had a great response ranking near the top of that platform's ratings. Woot woot!

Click on the link here to listen to an in depth interview about my writing process, the Stealing Time Series, the truth behind my short-story Blow,  my future writing projects, and a really clever Hurricane round in which I stumble a few times. It was a lot of fun on the other side of the mic for a change.

Interview with SJ Hermann and MJ LaBeff.

I had a blast hanging out with SJ Hermann and MJ LaBeff on SJ's brand spanking new podcast, In the Spotlight. Be sure to catch his weekly show on Tuesday nights at 8:00 central on Zcast and Twitter.

I won SJ's "Hot off my Kindle Award" contest for Suspense/Thrillers this fall and this is a follow up to that incredible honor. Thank you SJ for your support and creative energy!

Please take a minute to sign up for my newsletter to get the first six chapters of my upcoming novel Shattering Time, book 2 in the Stealing Time series. You can sign up on my website here.

Happy Holidays Year in Review

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and what ever else I forgot.

This is just a happy little post to share a few things that have made me laugh in my life and to share a few of my milestones this year.

I've learned a lot this year and one thing that has been very valuable is to look back on all I've accomplished and enjoy the journey. I often feel like I'm going nowhere with the rush of my goals and lack of time to finish everything I want to do. This simple act makes me feel like I've moved forward and can feel content with what I'm doing and work towards my future new goals.

Random Funny Things from my Children

One thing I have done right is instill humor in my kids. Here are a few examples.

1. My son used to call adults owners. In a way he is right. 

2. On the way home from the hospital after a minor injury my son sang this little ditty, "On the first day of spring break my doctor gave to me, nine stitches in my right knee."

3. I like to call my youngest Shorty on social media. It has stuck now and everyone calls her that. Her friends are very puzzled since she is one of the tallest kids in her class. Every time I see them they ask me to explain. This has inspired a new kids book series that I'm toying with. I'll tell more later when I develop it more.

4. One day a few years ago when I still had my old car, Shorty and I sat down and buckled up. The interior lights were blinking. I had an issue occasionally with the electrical grid (it's a Ford, what can I say). Shorty asked, "Why are the lights blinking?" I responded that I didn't know. Instantly she responded, "I know, it's aye-blinkin...get it? Abe Lincoln?" I died.

Year in Review

Looking at this past year I am excited to see my work has paid off. I feel like I've run endlessly and I have to admit I've burned out a bit. But looking back I can see that my work has brought results and this gives me hope for the coming year. I've grown my social media following nearly doubling all of my numbers. I've used a strategy designed by my podcast partner Suzanne Kelman that has increased my interactions on Twitter dramatically, and sold more books that I ever thought I could.

Blog
This blog has almost 130,000 hits and over 10,000 last month. It's crazy since I was super stoked when I had 5,000 last month. Whatever it is I'm hoping to keep it up.

Short Story
Also this year I released my first short story, BLOW, and it reached #8 in Teen and Young Adult Short Story on Amazon in a matter of days. I hope to follow it up this summer with a continuation of that same story. Plus I have ideas for at least 3 new short stories.

Find it here on Amazon

Shattering Time Book 2

I'm working hard on my second book, Shattering Time, that I hope to have out this spring. I've made the first few chapters available on my website here if you care to see how it starts. It's been a blast working on it. I'm nearly done with the cover design so I'll share that with you as well.

Stealing Time
My novel, Stealing Time, has reached the coveted #1 spot this summer in Time Travel and I've spoken to an agent about representation. It didn't work out but it did give me some ideas for future potential with an agent. I was also contacted by a movie rights outfit so who knows where that will lead. Here is a sample if you're interested.

Podcast
This past year I worked diligently with Suzanne on our Blondie and the Brit podcast providing a new podcast every week for a year. It has been so much fun getting to know the other authors and I've made some friends for life. Plus I loved learning some great tips from them about writing and how to market my book. It has been a truly inspiring year. We had a fun celebration for our one year birthday in October.

Visit our podcast here

Author Consulting
I've also started running a local author group, somewhat by accident, but I'm really enjoying it. I've started a bit of author consulting to help them self publish as well and have met some exceptional people in the process. If you're interested please send me a note on here or my social media (click on Facebook on the sidebar) or leave me a message on my website here.

Writing Life
This year I'm trying to make more space for writing. I keep getting these amazing ideas and putting them into the world but they all take my time away from writing. This year I will finish book two, put out a short story and begin a short story compilation from my blogs. I'd like to blog more as well so we'll see what happens. I need to shut my brain up a bit and stay focused on my writing. This will mean a bit less time on the podcast and other distractions to get my writing time in.

I have so many surprises for you in this book and I'm really eager to get to book 3 in the Stealing Time Series. This one is 75% written and I promise to blow your minds with the major twist in the story. I cannot wait to finish that one because Book 4 is insanely twisty as well.


I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and get some time to relax over the holidays. I'm spending time with my in-laws and my wonderful kids and getting some free time to write that dang book. 

If you're interested in my work here are some links for you. My two books are available nearly everywhere you may want to find it.

Amazon:  Stealing Time  Blow
Barnes and Noble: Stealing Time  Blow

More options on my website.

If you'd like a signed copy of my book please let me know. Send me a request here.

Cyber Monday Deals!

Cyber Monday Deals

Get your holiday shopping off to a good start with these Cyber Monday Deals for you!

1. 50% off Stealing Time Paperback 

​Enjoy my time travel thriller for only $7.50

If you're on Createspace, click here and use this code at checkout K3GRBP7V.

​OR

1. 50% Off Signed Copy

For half price get your hands on my science fiction thriller set in a hurricane inspired by Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and C.S. Lewis. 

Buy a copy for dear old mom, your best friend, or spoil yourself. Just let me know what you want me to write as a special message.

Request signed copy here. $7.50 for paperback plus shipping costs.  

*In the US $11.00 payable via PayPal. Outside of the US shipping costs varies.

​

3. BOGO Buy One (Stealing Time ebook) and Get One Free (Blow Ebook)  

​Free ecopy of Blow with purchase of Stealing Time. Coupon for a free copy of Blow will be sent to your email. 

​

Click here to Purchase!

Stealing Time is a breathtakingly original time travel thriller set in 1752 London and 2004 Florida.

Stealing Time is a "Breathtakingly original" time travel adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As Hurricane Charley churns a path of destruction towards Orlando, Florida, Ronnie Andrews and her best friend, Stephanie McKay, scramble to prepare for the storm. Ronnie seeks shelter at her boyfriend’s weather lab while Steph heads back to her house. 

During the peak of the storm Ronnie is hurtled back in time to eighteenth-century London where she is caught in a web of superstition, deception, and lies in a life and death struggle to return to her own time. 
Steph is thrust into the middle of the hurricane, but it quickly turns into a living nightmare as she is faced with losing everything. Stealing Time: Book 1 in the Stealing Time Trilogy. 

"A very clever concept, nicely executed by a wonderful storyteller. Stealing Time will have you on the edge of your seat!" Suzanne Kelman, Multi-award winning writer and author of The Rejected Writers Book Club..

Check out what readers are saying about Stealing Time here.

BLOW - A Short Story

Caught between a hurricane and a deadly secret, Rick Harris struggles against a ticking clock when the wrong people show up at his door looking for shelter. As the storm closes in wreaking havoc on Pensacola, Florida, he has to make a choice between saving their lives and exposing a secret that could cost him everything.

Readers love BLOW. See what they're saying here.

Winners from the #RRBC Block Party

Winners on my page for the 

 #RRBC BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOK and BLOG BLOCK PARTY I hosted on August 13, 2016! 

My Four Lucky Winners:

1. $25 Amazon Gift Card --JOHN FIORAVANTI

​ Three signed copies of Stealing Time

1. STEPHANIE COLLINS

2. NONNIE JULES

3. JAN SIKES

​

Thank you to everyone who downloaded a free ecopy of Stealing Time. Because of your help I made it to #1 on Amazon for Time Travel Free downloads!! I am so grateful for your help. #RRBC has been an amazing find for me.

If you didn't win and you still want to read this 4.7 out of five star rated book with 41 reviews it's only $2.99.  

Get your copy here! 

You can also check out my short story that's only 99 cents and has a rating of 4.8 out of five stars. 

Get your copy here!

Here are two reviews to entice you:

Stealing Time:

 18th Century? Time-Travel? I COULDN'T RESIST! A fantastic journey!, April 1, 2016

By 

Thomas Whaley

Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Stealing Time: Book 1 (Kindle Edition)

As an avid fan of ANYTHING 17th or 18th century AND once addicted (...maybe still) to Quantum Leap, when I stumbled across Stealing Time, by author KJ Waters, I couldn't resist adding it to my long list of things to do! Being a teacher, father of two and busy author myself, I find it very difficult to read as much as I would like, but once I began reading Stealing Time, it did not seem to be a challenge at all. The realistic mental imagery of 18th century London, perfectly mixed with the enticement of a perfect storm, time travel and spicy characters kept me on the edge of my seat. KJ Waters undoubtedly researched her history! I found her book to be historically refreshing and educational, rather than eye-rolling and inaccurate, which I have encountered in other "time-travelish" books.

Stealing Time is pleasantly packed with believable, well-developed characters worth investing your time with. They all keep you involved, and I applaud the Ms. Waters with the flawless way the characters differ based on the century they were from. This must have been a challenge.

If you are looking for a suspenseful, historical, witch-hunt of a journey - read STEALING TIME...and like me, you'll be impatiently waiting for round two.

My second book in the series, Shattering Time, will be out this fall. If you want to get on my mailing list for free deals and updates please comment below. 

There is a free chapter of Shattering Time at the end of my short story BLOW as a teaser. Here is a review of BLOW, that is a 20 minute read that reached #8 on the paid charts when it was release in April. 

Blow:5.0 out of 5 stars

You’ll be Blown Away!

By Amazon Customer on April 12, 2016

Format: Kindle Edition

Set against the dramatic backdrop of one of nature’s most powerful forces of chaos and destruction, Blow
intertwines the suspenseful stories of it characters as the winds howl and emotions rage. K.J. Waters has
the reader hanging onto each gust as the story unfolds—as lives, trailers, and Weber grills (both literal and
metaphorical) are tossed around like matchsticks. Packing an even stronger punch than Hurricane Ivan
(arguably the catalyst, powerfully moving the storyline and its characters in unexpected directions), Blow
delivers a Category 5 performance, providing the perfect transition between the author’s first thriller, Stealing
Time, and her upcoming novel. Brace yourself for an exciting ride! KJ Waters absolutely delivers just that!

Where to find me online:

Website: www.kjwaters.com www.blondieandbrit.com/ www.blondiebooks.com/ 

Twitter: @kamajowa  @blondiebookcov @Blondie and the Brit
Facebook: KJWaters, Author page, Blondie and the Brit, Blondie’s Custom Book Covers
LinkedIn: KJ Waters
Blog: www.kjwatersauthor.blogspot.com

Instagram: @kamajowa

Pinterest: kamajowa

#RRBC BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOK & BLOG BLOCK PARTY

Welcome to the #RRBC BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOK and BLOG BLOCK PARTY! 

Here’s What I’m Giving Away Today to four Lucky Winners:

$25 Amazon Gift Card

Three signed copies of Stealing Time

Get your FREE e book copy here until Aug. 14! 

All comments are eligible.

Hi! I'm KJ Waters and welcome to Rave Reviews Book Club’s Back-To-School Book and Blog Block Party. For all the stops and oodles of chances to win a myriad of prizes, check out all the posts. The list can be found here. I've already won a $10 Amazon card from another blogger.

This stop is my blog Blondie in the Water and my pool here in Dirtville, USA. Take a dip and relax awhile in the hot tub while you learn a bit about me. 

I recently joined The Rave Reviews Book Club and am now a huge fan. Within a month or so my book, Stealing Time, was selected for the push it Tuesday and my book shot to the highest it ever was on Amazon. If you're not a member I highly recommend joining. It's a great community of authors and I've made some fantastic professional connections.

A little about me:

Author: I am KJ Waters, the author of the best-selling short story Blow (was #8) and full length time travel novel, Stealing Time, that is currently #2 in time travel that happens to be free this weekend so grab your copy here and help me get to #1!

You can find it here

     

FREE Until August 14, 2016
Get your free copy here!





Podcast:
I also am the co-host of the popular podcast Blondie and the Brit where we interview authors about writing, publishing, and a lot more. I work with Suzanne Kelman, an international best selling author and Nichols Fellowship semifinalist (read Oscar for screenplay) One of our mottos is if it isn't fun we aren't doing it. It is a great weekly podcast that provides tons of tips for authors and a fun and relaxed format. You can find out more here on our website www.blondieandbrit.com. You can subscribe on podbean and iTunes. 

In addition to my other Blondie fun projects (writing and podcasting) I run a book cover design business called Blondie's custom Book Covers. You can find out more here: www.blondiebooks.com. 



How is the tub? I hope it's not too hot. Oh where are my manners, I forgot to offer you a drink.

I didn't mention the hot tub you're in is a time machine. It is set for August 13, 2004 when my novel Stealing Time starts. I hate to tell you but Hurricane Charley is about to hit and take you for a ride through the eye of the hurricane to 1752 London. Hang on it's going to be a wild ride!

Here is a quick blurb of Stealing Time. You can download your FREE copy here: 

Stealing Time is a "Breathtakingly original" time travel adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As Hurricane Charley churns a path of destruction towards Orlando, Florida, Ronnie Andrews and her best friend, Stephanie McKay, scramble to prepare for the storm. Ronnie seeks shelter at her boyfriend’s weather lab while Steph heads back to her house.

During the peak of the storm Ronnie is hurtled back in time to eighteenth-century London where she is caught in a web of superstition, deception, and lies in a life and death struggle to return to her own time.

Steph is thrust into the middle of the hurricane, but it quickly turns into a living nightmare as she is faced with losing everything. Stealing Time: Book 1 in the Stealing Time Trilogy. 


A quick blurb of BLOW -- A Short Story only 99 cents! Click here!

Caught between a hurricane and a deadly secret, Rick Harris struggles against a ticking clock when the wrong people show up at his door looking for shelter. As the storm closes in wreaking havoc on Pensacola, Florida, he has to make a choice between saving their lives and exposing a secret that could cost him everything.

Where to find me online:

Website: www.kjwaters.com www.blondieandbrit.com/ www.blondiebooks.com/
Twitter: @kamajowa  @blondiebookcov @Blondie and the Brit
Facebook: KJWaters, Author page, Blondie and the Brit, Blondie’s Custom Book Covers
LinkedIn: KJ Waters
Blog: www.kjwatersauthor.blogspot.com

Instagram: @kamajowa

Pinterest: kamajowa