New Cover for Heads in the Clouds

I was so thrilled to be a finalist even more thrilled to win I decided to add the winner's medallion to the cover! 

Traveling to Albuquerque and attending was so much fun, but to completely honestly honest - after the words "The winner is..." there is nothing like hearing your own name.
(Actually what I meant to say is more like "my heart is filled with humility and gratitude" but it still was a thrill.)

The Book Awards honor the best in New Mexico and Arizona books, as judged by booksellers, librarians, teachers, and marketing experts. The New Mexico Book Co-op is a collaborative partnership with over 1,400 local authors and publishers and is New Mexico and Arizona's largest non-profit featuring New Mexico and Arizona books. The mission of the Co-op is to showcase and help authors and publishers promote and sell books. Every state and region needs an organization like this!

I'm especially honored that Heads in the Clouds was chosen because its setting is very much like the place I live. I used wonderful northern Arizona locations like Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well, and the Prescott Rodeo. The novel's aviation community may be similar to my own, but not one of the interesting characters are based on my neighbors (well, maybe one or two).

with Paul Rhetts New Mexico Co-op Founder

It was exciting to be with such dedicated book people who where genuinely proud of 
their profession.

Some of the winning books

Heads in the Clouds Wins New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards: Fiction - Romance!

What a thrill to be a finalist and what a wild thrill to win! 

Traveling to Albuquerque and attending was so much fun, but to completely honestly honest - after the words "The winner is..." there is nothing like hearing your own name. 

(Actually what I meant to say is more like "my heart is filled with humility and gratitude" but it still was a thrill.)

The Book Awards honor the best in New Mexico and Arizona books, as judged by booksellers, librarians, teachers, and marketing experts. The New Mexico Book Co-op is a collaborative partnership with over 1,400 local authors and publishers and is New Mexico and Arizona's largest non-profit featuring New Mexico and Arizona books. The mission of the Co-op is to showcase and help authors and publishers promote and sell books. Every state and region needs an organization like this!

I'm especially honored that Heads in the Clouds was chosen because its setting is very much like the place I live. I used wonderful northern Arizona locations like Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well, and the Prescott Rodeo. The novel's aviation community may be similar to my own, but not one of the interesting characters are based on my neighbors (well, maybe one or two).

with Paul Rhetts New Mexico Co-op Founder

Anne Hillerman

It was exciting to be with such dedicated book people who where genuinely proud of their profession.

Some of the winning books

New Mexico - Arizona Book Awards Finalist!

 

New Mexico - Arizona Book Award

Fiction - Romance Category 

So excited.

 I'll be in Albuquerque, NM 

at the Awards Banquet 

on November 21st. 

Until then I'll be dancing with fingers crossed.

Shapeshifters' Library Series Free on Kindle & a New Release!

I Love Receiving...
and Giving!

This week I received a special Christmas present.

As some of you know I spent a part of my life in libraries. I worked in quite a few libraries, often as an Acquisitions Librarian. One wonderful memory was of my time in Arlington, Virginia where I had the opportunity to work with two of the finest librarians in the country. These amazing women were true book people. They knew books and knew how to build a wonderful library collection. Acting as their assistant I learned a lot about books and book reviews.

In those days, besides a few respected newspapers and literary journals, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Virginia Kirkus Service book reviews were the mainstays of libraries and bookstores. A bad review in one of those powerful forces could doom a book.

Since I never expected to actually write a book myself, I didn't understand reviews from the author’s point of view. But now I have my own Kirkus review!
s

And I’m thrilled!

a

Recovered, the third in my Shapeshifters’ Library series, was reviewed by Kirkus.
And here’s what it said: 

“Author Polo does an excellent job organizing the details of her inviting series for new and returning readers... At its core, the narrative illustrates how… kindness can heal humans and dogs—and maybe even cats… A fanciful read that remains loyal to its noble principles.” – Kirkus Reviews 

To celebrate:

All Kindle books
in The Shapeshifters Library are Free !
Released (Book 1) Free Decmber 26 only
Retrieved  (Book 2) Free December 26-30
Recovered (Book 3) Free December 26-30
and
Heads in the Clouds - Introductory Price $.99 until January 1

More NEWS:
I have revised and republished Flying Free, one of my Arizona romances, as Heads in the Clouds. I added another dog (it's like cooking & adding more wine). And Connie Fisher created a gorgeous new cover. Heads in the Clouds is available for Kindle readers at an introductory price of $.99 until January 1, 2014.

Thanks for reading
and stay tuned for Book 4 as dog-shifters try to shut down book-pirating werewolves.
Amber

_________
And a Goodreads Giveaway
-
Heads in the Clouds
an Arizona Aviation Romance
(print copy)

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Heads in the Clouds

by Amber Polo

Giveaway ends January 05, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

An Arizona Aviation Romance

Just out - "Heads in the Clouds"

A revised edition of Flying Free with a great new cover.

Love is in the air…

“Keep your Feet on the Ground,

Your Mind Wide Open,

Your Spirit Flying Free,

and Your Head in the Clouds.”

Can a meat-eating Texas advertising woman find love with a vegetarian Buddhist and get her pilot’s license despite interference from her wacky Arizona airpark neighbors and a high flying Alaskan Malamute?

Lia Bedford thinks she’s going to get her pilot’s license, sell her father’s Arizona airpark house, go back to helping beef producers sell meat, and probably find a guy just like the cheating husband who bankrupted her.
Seth Hartman thinks he’s come to Arizona to build a spiritual center, escape the community and wife that betrayed him, and create a new beginning much like the contemplative, vegetarian life he left.

While Lia tries to hide and Seth tries to fit in, their attraction pulls them together. Lia and Seth begin to change with help from their wacky senior citizen neighbors and a high-flying Alaskan Malamute. All they have to do is conquer the fear of flying and their fear of love.

A Contemporary Western Aviation Romance
Amazon Print
Amazon Kindle
Smashwords

I'm thrilled to announce the release of "Heads in the Clouds" (a revised, republished edition of Flying Free, a contemporary romance originally published in 2009 by Treble Heart). This story, set in my own Arizona neighborhood, has always been close to my heart. I enjoyed revising it and adding a second dog, a Papillion. 

Connie Fisher's cover captures the spirit of the story. So if you haven't read the original Flying Free, step into my world and enjoy "Heads in the Clouds."

  

Awards and Reviews for Flying Free

Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award

(Strong Romantic Elements Category)

Ancient City Romance Authors,St Augustine, FL

Finalist – Write Touch Contest,Wisconsin RWA

.





Reviews
“With characters readers will relate to, Flying Free is of profound and high recommendation for general fiction readers searching for a quirky romance.”
~ 5 Stars Midwest Book Review

“Polo’s characters are filled with warmth and heart. Polo’s writing is crisp and engaging. Two thumbs up to the supporting cast. Flying Free will take the reader for a ride on the wings of love.”
~ Classic Romance Revival
 
“There are villains. There is mystery. And there is love that overcomes all. I enjoyed …the caring group of folks in the second half of life who live on Airpark Mesa near Sedona. The Airpark folks, whose passion is flying, building and maintaining small planes, seem very real.”
~ Reviewed by Judith Helburn for Story Circle Reviews
 
“A nifty, sweet story filled with planes, airpark life and a super sexy vegan Buddhist that anyone would find hard to resist. A heart warming tale about discovering what is really important in life…..sometimes a little later than you had hoped. Creative, quirky characters really set this story alive and give it a spark. Good work Ms. Polo, a true enjoyment " ~ Seriously Reviewed
 
“Her amazing gift of creating vivid images with only a few words…is awesome. …a powerful, sensually written, heart-warming story that will keep you turning pages.”
~ Long and Short Reviews