Tales From Pasifika's Generous Review of Secret Shopper

Humbled by this latest review of Secret Shopper. "We don’t wait for the big storm to happen – we just live. This may be the reason why the plot is so incredibly believable and easy to relate to – this is not a fairytale you dream of, but a story solidly anchored in reality." -Tales from Pasifika

Click here to read more. Thanks!

Click here to purchase your paperback or eBook from Amazon.

100 Reviews of Secret Shopper on Amazon!

Thank you, Abby. Your kind words and lovely 4 star rating for Secret Shopper has made my launch into NaNoWriMo more meaningful. 100 reviews! Hooray! Phoenix and Thomas thank you!

But I Would Drive One Hundred Miles, and I Would Drive One Hundred More.

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."--Muhammad Ali

Hundreds of miles of driving to sell one book. Yes. I did that, twice.

An indie writer’s hustle is never ending. For me, a high functioning introvert, that is taxing on my nerves. So, twice in the month of May, I sojourned south to attend two events.

On May 3rd, I attended a Guam fiesta in Graham, Washington. Miles logged? 88.

The San Jose Fiesta was hosted by the generous Leon Guerrero family. Two rows of vendors braved the rain and cold to showcase their wares. I was happy to be canopy mates with author and Principal Investigator at Hålé Chamoru ~ Chamorro Roots Genealogy Project, Bernard Punzalan.

I was grateful for the exposure to a new Chamorro audience. The extensive buffet of Chamorro cuisine was also a great pay off. Vending was free with a small contribution of two books to the hosts for a raffle. After selling one book, I resigned to the fact that I would end the day with that one success. I looked on the bright side. I had quality time with my best friend who drove in from Tacoma. My son hung out with his godparents. I met up with my former Tae Kwon Do classmate, who I last saw when he was a preteen, now a husband and father. I met a former JFKHS teacher whom I shared the honor of working in the Tourism Academy. And, I met up with a former volleyball teammate who I haven’t seen in over twenty years. So, a good day all in all.

On May 28th, I drove down to Gresham, Oregon to attend Mt. Hood Community College’s 3rd Annual Hang Loose Luau. Miles logged? 240.

I had reservations about attending a seemingly “Hawaiian” event, but the R.I.C.E. member I knew (again a child classmate from Tae Kwon Do) assured me that it was a celebration of all things Pacific Islander. Thankful that my best friend joined me, we set off for a cold, rainy luau. After three hours of vending, I sold one book. Sirena (my little mermaid) seemed to be the most popular with passerbys. I had to remind myself that there were many a starving college student who may not have the disposable funds to purchase books. It was a good day anyway, since I saw up close, hula dancing, enjoyed 90s R & B music (apparently a favorite genre of the dj, but not mine), and bonded with my bestie since the 10th grade.

In the end, after two events, I logged 328 miles of driving, make that 656 counting the drive home.
Books sold? 2.
Redemption? Selling 2 books to the owner of PDX671.
Additional redemption? People, experience, hanging with my bestie twice, Guam food and doughnuts.

Meanwhile, 6,000 plus miles away across the Pacific Ocean, in my home-island of Guam. My short story collection, Attitude 13 has been featured in a two part series for Marianas Variety Guam’s Sunday Variety-Literary Corner. The links to the digital copies are here. PART 1. PART 2. It’s a nice way of getting my short story, Resurfacing in the public eye. So, thank you to the editor, Mar-Vic Cagurangan for considering me. It’s an honor! And, as any indie author will tell you, if the experience helps me sell just one book, then it was worth the effort.

Further, a blogger friend and supporter of my writing in Poland has featured a great review of Attitude 13 on her blog. LINK here, as well as an interview of me. LINK here. Thank you, talesfrompasifika!

Happy Anniversary, Phoenix and Thomas!

My romantic comedy, Secret Shopper has been swimming in the indie author literary universe for a year now. It's been nice getting feedback, both good and bad about this love story.

Thank you, everyone! The EBook is just 99 cents for a few more days as a celebration.

LINK HERE!

Betelnut Radio-The BBQ Show Interview

"If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it." Anais Nin

Support from Betelnut Radio's The BBQ Show meant so much to me. I was interviewed this past Thursday on air by Q and Joe Sav. It was a fun discussion about my books, and a great promotion for my efforts as a Pacific Islander author.

I was able to video tape it off my lap top, I'm not so tech savvy and the fliers the radio show created made me feel extra 'legit'.

Thank you again, Q and Joe Sav for featuring this Chamorrita author from Guam. I appreciate any support I can get.

411Junkie Blog Interviews Me & Offers a Great Novel Review of Secret Shopper!

The 411 on me is that I was recently hosted by 411Junkie's Blog! Check out my author interview (she had riveting questions) and also the lovely book review of my romantic comedy, Secret Shopper.

An Indie Author is always grateful for anyone who shares their spotlight.

Read the Interview HERE.

Read the Book Review HERE. (Warning: Spoilers).

Don't forget to join my Rafflecopter giveaway of a signed copy of Secret Shopper! Just 4 days left. Click Here!

Nerd Girl Gives Secret Shopper 5 Stars and a Glowing Review!

"The romance is chivalrous and fairly chaste which is a refreshing change from the current trend."--Julie

The 5 Star review by Julie of Nerd Girl has been posted on their website, Goodreads, Library Things (which I have to join now), Facebook, and Twitter; and she also took the time to support my indie efforts by adding the review and rating on Amazon.

The Nerd Girl Facebook page is followed by nearly 4,500 folks. I hope this boosts my story's reach.

I love the cool chicks at NERD GIRL! Click here to read.

Jackson Baer Interviews, Tanya Taimanglo

"I’d say Scotland. I’d like to learn more about kilts and sip tea in J.K. Rowling’s castle, talk shop with her perhaps and dance to some Celtic jams." Tanya Taimanglo

Thank you to author, Jackson Baer for taking the time to interview me for his blog. Authors supporting other authors is so important. Check out the interview by clicking on the link below his picture. Be sure to follow his Facebook page too! His upcoming novel, The Earth Bleeds Red comes out September 2013.

Tanya Taimanglo INTERVIEW-Click Here!

72, Seventy Two

72, that’s the number of books I’ve sold in 7 weeks.

For an INDIE AUTHOR, that’s satisfactory. 72 is average, right? I can’t have my husband retire from the Navy next year (and he technically can, reaching 20 years), but it’s a start. Mathematically, speaking in averages, that’s 10 books a week, every week for the last seven weeks. 72 books makes an Indie Author about $3.00 per print book and 60 cents or so per eBook, so I’ve made a little over a hundred bucks.

As a perfectionist, control freak over-achiever that I am, it’s not quite enough. Profit wise, it pays for a week of groceries, wait, my teenage nephew is visiting, it pays for three days of groceries.

A few things I want to clear up.
1. I’m defined as an INDIE Author because I am SELF-PUBLISHED. In the literary world, indie authors being self-published and all was looked down upon. We do things our way in regards to our books and promotion of it. This is a plus. The negative side, we don’t have a large powerhouse publishing machine to help promote our books. I’m an introvert with social tendencies, so I have to shine and do the sales-lady bit. I’m happy to do it, but it can be intimidating and exhausting. I secretly hope celebrities with clout, like Zooey Deschanel will read my novel, laugh her ass off and give it to her agent to make into a series or movie. Anyone out there know Zooey? I’d like to send her my book. Anyone?

2. My novel Secret Shopper doesn’t compare to other books in the same genre as far as the BOOK COVER. I’ve recently joined numerous Facebook Romance Writers/Readers groups, friended and LIKED fellow Indie Authors. Many have a distinct book cover choice, NAKEDNESS, sultry, sexy Nakedness…hot people in embrace, locked lips, panty lines, ab muscles, lots of male ab muscles, you get the picture. I do not have that. I have a pair of cheap sunglasses, an orchid and a shell lei on a woven basket. Do I want the sleek covers? Yes and No. There are several sex scenes in Secret Shopper, but like my cover, they are let’s say, understated, subdued, suggestive rather than expletive. My book is Sexy, but she doesn’t know it…yet.

3. I have an author page, and hope to reach 500 LIKES by the end of the year. I’ve slowed down in promoting it ad nauseam on Facebook and hope that via word of mouth or one’s search for all things Tanya and Secret Shopper, people will find me and LIKE me by their own free will. But, I do envy the other indie authors who somehow by a wave of support have reached their 1,000 likes, 2,000, 3,000. Kick me now…I did UNLIKE a successful Indie author who had over 1,500 likes after she posted that she doesn’t give a sh*t how many likes she gets because she wants someone to like her because they want to and that when another person asks her to LIKE ‘em back, she gets pissed. LIKE away y’all and I will LIKE you back if you kindly request it.

4. I will write forever, whether it pays the bills or not. WHY? Because it pays the bill in my creative soul.

So, maybe I’ll see my name in lights (at a library). Maybe a book I write will be bastardized into a movie that I can have a cameo in, where I will sniff (secretly) the hot, but legal, male lead. One thing I do know, I will promote my book the way I want to and write books I enjoy.

Thank you for your support always. Hope you find the time to read SECRET SHOPPER. Amazon.com paperback or Kindle eBook.

Whispers, “Zooey? Call me. I have a free book for you.”

Look for my upcoming article feature in Marianas Variety and my upcoming interview with author, Jackson Baer on July 18th. Big THANK YOU to Denise Mendiola Hertslet and Pacific Island Coffee Co. for taking a chance on this Indie Author and selling copies of my book on Guam. Click, LIKE and tell 'em Tanya sent ya'.

7, Seven 5 Star Book Reviews on Amazon.

81, Eighty One views on Youtube for my book trailer.


Book trailer #2

Esta Later!

The Indie Bookshelf REVIEW of SECRET SHOPPER, 4.5 STARS!

So, I'm really happy that my first official book review is completed and the results weren't as terrifying as I thought. I was hoping for 3 stars and a small blurb, praying they would put my Createspace created book cover up at the very least.

But, Erin Roth one of the fabulous reviewers who support INDIE authors did so much more. She gave me a perspective from someone other than a Chamorro. She helped me realize that my novel, Secret Shopper and my beloved character, Phoenix Lizama Farmer could survive outside the bubble of Guam or Chamorro life.

Erin gave Secret Shopper 4.5 STARS out of 5. Be warned, there are many SPOILERS--so if you don't want to know yet (until you've read the book), check her review out later. You can read her full review by clicking here.

Secret Shopper was a fun, interesting book. I loved being immersed in the culture of Guam, a place I know little about--I'm a super dork, I had to wiki, and then spent at least an hour clicking around. Taimanglo did an amazing job of incorporating the language, food, and customs of "a good Chamorro girl" into the story without it reading like a guidebook, even blending in a little of Phoenix's Korean heritage via her mother (I want some Phoenix rice, STAT!).

I was fascinated by what I learned, and I think that the comedic voice really made the culture accessible to the reader; every time Phoenix said "like a good Chamorro," I heard my mother-in-law telling a story about her childhood, always including "like a good Polish girl."

Secret Shopper was funny, sweet, and romantic. I was rooting for Phoenix and Thomas all the way and I think I'll continue to root for them in spirit. I hope to see Taimanglo grow and thrive in the romantic comedy genre--she was definitely spot on with this one!
--Erin Roth, The Indie Bookshelf

Thank you, Erin! I'll be doing my Carlton Happy Dance now.