cozy mystery – Page 2 – Alexie Linn, the Author, and Homespun Rebel

Posted on May 1, 2025April 29, 2025 by Alexie Linn

Effective Off-Grid Living Tips for Beginners

Off grid tricks and tips for success

Living off the grid offers a unique lifestyle that prioritizes self-sufficiency, sustainability, and independence from traditional utilities and infrastructure. In this article, we tip-toe into the world of off-grid living — for writers and everybody else. Whether you are considering transitioning to off-grid living or just want to get away from it all, this post will provide you with insights to thrive in an off-grid environment. And… if you live in an area where power outages are the norm, your off-grid prep steps can be a literal life-saver!

The Basics of Off-Grid Living
Welcome to my wild world of off-grid living, where Wi-Fi can be sparse but the sense of freedom is abundant. Off-grid living means providing your own electricity, water, and gas. Plus, trash disposal. Ugh! I once saw a story about a woman who reduced her trash to one – that’s one – quart jar of trash to dispose of for an entire year!

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to take a bath in a teacup of water when you have to haul it all, gallon by gallon. Did you know that a gallon jug of water weighs 8 pounds? Water conservation, here I come!

As for propane… I have enough 5-gallon propane bottles to run heat, hot water, cooking, and refrigeration for about 6-weeks. I fill them all when I do my town run for a pick-up grocery order. Ahhh… something good came of covid after all…

Now let’s talk about electricity. I need it. There are certain amenities I refuse to live without anymore.

One is my laptop computer that I write and publish my family friendly tales with. Another is Ms Hessie, my Hessaire cooler for 100+ degree days. Nope. I’ve done my time. I want a comfortable temperature in my digs – and to be able to contentedly sleep my required hours.

My electricity comes from two sources. One is the rebuilt remains of a stand-alone 3.2Kw solar system that the marauders had their way with. It was awesome in the beginning. The other is completely portable and consists of 6 small power supply centers that I charge with portable solar panels. I can hit the road with them and have power anywhere I can find sun.

At this writing, I recommend the Jackery power packs. After four years of ongoing use, the Jackerys are still gleefully charging right along. None of the others – including Lithelli, are happily chugging. Although I have two VTOMAN heavyweights that have a year under their belts and are still perfect. But they weigh in at 45 pounds each… too heavy for this little lady to call portable without my handtruck.

Harvesting Rainwater for Off-Grid Use
When life gives you rain, harvest it! Collect rainwater from your rooftop, divert it into storage tanks, and use it for flushing toilets, watering plants, or even taking a refreshing off-grid shower. Rain, rain, don’t go away! But don’t drink it without filtering it!

Reduce trash and conserve water

To reduce my food storage wash water needs, I can my heat-and-eat food with a vacuum retort foil bag system. No dirty dishes and teeny tiny foil bag to toss. I don’t have to wash and store canning jars or dirty a kettle to reheat the contents! SCORE!

I just delisted ‘Adventures in Retorting’; a guide on using the vacuum retort system. I’ll be expanding, revising and updating it soon with more recipes, etc.. It will only be available in standard print because of the recipe format required for cyberspace. Look for it if foil pack retort heat and eat meals are on your docket.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, embracing off-grid living is not just a lifestyle choice, but a commitment to a more sustainable and resilient way of life for you, me, and the planet. By implementing the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can create a thriving off-grid adventure that meets your needs while reducing your impact on the environment.

Remember that off-grid living is a journey that requires continual learning and adaptation, but the rewards of independence, self-sufficiency, and connection with nature make it a truly fulfilling path to pursue.

An endnote…

I’m currently putting together an ‘Off-Grid Prep Tips for Success’ book. I hope to get it published in the next month, or so. You can get a sneak peek at some of the tips through my You Tube, Instagram, and Tik Tok posts. The links below will pop you right into my page. Go ahead and explore… follow and like my reels to have them show up in your feed.

Book 21 of the Sally the Loner series is cooling its heels while I learn more about promotion. I’m a writer, not a promoter. It’s like pulling hen’s teeth, but I keep trying.

In the meantime, dear readers and writers, I hope you’re doing well and that you have an excellent week.

Here are some tales you might also like…

(A shout out to Tiny Wow for the AI assist in inspiring me on how to write this post. Thank you. Also…some links may be affiliate links.)

Posted on April 17, 2025April 15, 2025 by Alexie Linn

Unlocking Your Inner Inspiration

What Inspires You?

Finding inspiration is a powerful force that drives creativity, motivation, and personal growth. It can come from various sources, both internal and external, and can manifest in different forms. Understanding what inspires you and how to harness that inspiration is key to leading a fulfilling and purposeful life.

Definition of Inspiration

Inspiration is like that “aha” moment when a light bulb appears over your head. It’s that spark of motivation that gets you excited and ready to take on the world, or at least your next project.

The Psychology of Inspiration

Psychologically speaking, inspiration is like a mental kick in the pants, pushing you to think outside the box and see things in a new light. It’s that burst of creativity that makes you feel like you can conquer anything.

But when inspiration sags…

When my own inspiration sags, I turn to those who inspired those quirky characters that reside in every one of my books… Here’s a picture that pops into my head first…

From Joan Freed to Sally to Mary Linn and beyond, you’ll find snippets of their personalities and words of wisdom I grew up with. As a matter of fact, these ladies are the direct inspiration for Mama’s Morsels of Home Cookbook…

Homemade Noodles came from Grandma. She (I helped) often made them on Sale Day at the auctionhouse. I think because they cooked fast when the grandpa’s last crony had gone home. Hearty One-Pot Dinner was Mama’s answer to me making supper when she was working late. Mama’s Ginger Creams (using 8 cups of flour) was the answer to snacks for 6 rambunctious children to satisfy… and long-term snacking for this young bride’s first journey to Alaska.

Where inspiration comes from…

Inspiration comes from surprising sources. It might be a picture, an achievement, a song, a sunrise, or even a positive word. But at the end of the day, the most powerful source of inspiration is within yourself. It’s that inner fire that drives you to pursue your passions, overcome obstacles, and keep pushing forward, no matter what life throws your way.

So go ahead, tap into that well of inspiration inside you and watch yourself shine. I’ll join you in just a minute… and I’d love to learn what inspires you. Click my email link below and tell me…

But if momentary escapes is your current need for inspiration…

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Follow me and my inspirational characters on:

(A shout out to Tiny Wow for the AI assist in inspiring me to write this post. Thank you. Also…some links may be affiliate links.)

Posted on March 20, 2025March 18, 2025 by Alexie Linn

How to Create a Reel for Social Media

Are you itching to get in on the social media Reels craze but don’t know how to create and upload a Reel?

You’re not alone. I had the same desire and problem… but not anymore.

In case you missed the memo… A Reel is a short video of fun stuff. The sky is the limit for content. Some are hilarious; others not so much. It’s easy to click to the next one if you’re not pleased with what you see.

Reels are a specific size (*1080 pixels wide x 1920 pixels tall). It’s short in length… from .03 seconds to a maximum 90 seconds. Mine are about 30 to 45 seconds long. I use them to give viewers a quick break and to introduce my books.

The majority of Reels are vertical clips from cellphones. But not all. Mine are created with help from a couple of apps I’ve invested in.

Here’s a Reel I recently uploaded:

How did I create it? I’ll give you the nutshell version…

Think of a pain point to address (Like getting unstuck…)
Imagine 3-5 pictures showing a viewer how to maneuver through and out of the pain point.
Collect the pictures (I use Night Café Studio to create the images) into your reels file and 2 or 3 words for each image.
Next, I open up Doodly to create the reel. (Doodly is a cloud-based video editing program that lets users create whiteboard animations and doodle videos. I highly recommend and love Doodly. It’s easy to use and fun.)
Set Doodly or your chosen animation program to the custom size of 1080 px wide x 1920 px tall. To keep the hand behind the images, I set the board to glass.
Upload the images into Doodly as props. Place them on the board in the order you want them to draw onto the board.
Add suitable music… remember to lower the volume on the music to about 12 on the scale so you don’t blast your viewer in the face.
After you’ve previewed and adjusted for perfection… Export your reel in webm (for YouTube) and also mp4 (for Facebook and Instagram)
Voila! Upload it to your social media platforms.

That’s it! Have fun!

I’ll leave you with this plethora of books to peruse, download and read. Until next time…

Onward!

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Note: Some links in this post may be affiliate links.

Posted on March 6, 2025March 3, 2025 by Alexie Linn

How Metadata and Keywords Boost Your Book’s Visibility

Metadata and Keywords explained, sort of…

Do you feel your eyes glazing over and your ears muffling when Metadata and Keywords enter the picture? I do. Excuse me while I rinse my eyes and clean my ears to even write this article.

I’m back and determined to conquer the two most dreaded words in my world of publishing fun and inspirational books. Are you with me?

First and foremost, there’s attitude adjustment. They’re just words, for crying out loud. Scribbles on paper. Are they really bigger than us?

No! They are not!

Think of metadata and keywords as the magical spells that guide readers. These are the two elements that lead readers to your books in a gargantuan digital library.

But you must craft them thoughtfully. With the seeker in mind.

Choose relevant keywords to make your book discoverable in our ginormous digital jungle. Remember, you want to be the one shiny object that catches the reader’s eye amidst the sea of options.

How do you become the shiny object?

Enter metadata, keywords, and search engines.

It’s search engines like Google, Bing, Duck-Duck, etc. that dig deep to locate and present readers with on-point books they are seeking. The trick is to shrink the list.

For instance… As a reader, I type ‘Cozy Mystery with Cats’ into the search engine. I get a list of a mere 6,790,000 entries that the writer has included ‘cozy’ ‘mystery’ and ‘cats’ in their keywords when they uploaded the book. Ugh!

Oh, the joy of options that search engines give…

But don’t let that deter you… You have a tidbit of control .

Here’s how.

When I type ‘Alexie Linn’ into a search engine I get a cool 1,430,000 results for this puny little writer. Really? And I thought I was invisible… And therein lies the problem.

Cyberspace is not your corner store. It’s aiming to please over 8 billion seekers of information 24/7. How does cyberspace know what, exactly, is one reader looking for? By sorting through gazillions of metadata and keywords provided by publishers. And algorithms.

What does this mean to the indie publisher?

It means that it’s totally up to the publisher to fork out the metadata and keywords. Search engines then yank documents (books and posts) containing these words out of cyberspace and offer them to the seeker.

To simplify…

Metadata is simply a plural noun that means ‘computing information that is held as a description of stored data.’ It’s information about information. A library catalog is metadata because it describes publications. My web address, alexielinnauthor.com, is metadata because it holds the key that describes Alexie Linn’s publications.

Clear as mud? Maybe not so much anymore. According to Ingram Spark, ‘Simply put, your book metadata is any data that describes your book—including title, subtitle, price, publication date, ISBN, and any …’ Metadata is a given. Not a guessing game.

Got it. Metadata is required for any uploaded book. That’s logical.

But what about keywords? And hashtags? When will it end?

Keywords are for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Period. They are a significant word or phrase that describes a document. Cat is a broad keyword. My search engine pulled up over 6 million cozies with cats. But when I added Calico Cat, it narrowed my search to only 810,000 books. It zeroed in on the choices – bypassing a bunch!

So, if my book is about a calico cat, I should make calico cat a keyword or longer phrase to get my story 6 million times closer to being found. ‘Male calico cats’ cut the options to 756,000. About another 60,000 entries closer to discovery.

Do you see what’s happening? Keywords are what sets your book apart from the hordes. Make your keywords be the only brunette in a sea of blondes. Assuming the reader is looking for a brunette in their search…

Hashtags are the same, but completely different in their use. Not for this post.

If these two words are still making your brain ooze, I have a couple of key recommendations. One is ‘Amazon Keywords for Books’ by Dale Roberts. The book dives deeper but doesn’t drown you. I also own and am affiliated with Dave Chesson’s Publisher Rocket. Publisher Rocket is an shockingly quick and easy research tool for keywords, competition, categories and more. I have found that both of these tools are paramount to success and well worth the investment.

However, if your wallet is currently financially embarrassed, type ‘keywords for authors’ into any search engine. You will find oodles and oodles of free to read posts written on the topic.

But enough said for now about keywords and metadata. Let’s move on to this week’s much more exciting featured offer for only you valued readers of my little newsletter.

WooHoo! Book 20 of the Sally the Loner series has launched and is available today! The eBook is only 99¢ if you grab it through the button below.

Here’s the cover…

What would you do if a pushy cat came scratching at your door? A rare male calico cat. Would you shoo him away? Invite him in? Or let him take over the place while you searched for his caregiver?

Better yet. What would Sally do?

Join Sally and Rodney on this wild ride of a rambunctious, bossy, cuddly stray cat that seems to know more than he’s saying. And is the source of chaotic upheaval on Sally’s compound; including sending Sally to jail.

Click here to BUY NOW for 99 cents — direct from the author. Use code U0NDMZOQ at checkout for the deal.

And while we’re on the subject of featured deals…

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Posted on February 20, 2025February 17, 2025 by Alexie Linn

Expand Your Reach: Publishing on Multiple Platforms

Publishing Wide — should you or shouldn’t you…

Publishing wide is like being a social butterfly in the literary world. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, you spread them across different platforms like a savvy dabbler of words. It involves making your work available on various online bookstores, not just putting all your hopes on one exclusive platform.

Advantages of wide publishing

Advantages? Oh, there’s a few.

Think increased visibility and reach. You’re not limiting yourself to a single pond; you’re swimming in an ocean of readers. Plus, more control over pricing and promotions, and the sweet scent of independence.

Challenges of wide publishing

Of course, nothing great comes without its challenges.

Coordinating different platforms can feel like herding cats. Each one has its quirks, rules, and algorithms. Plus, building a loyal readership across multiple sites takes time and effort. But hey, nothing worth doing is ever easy, right?

Don’t put all your literary eggs on Amazon’s shelf. Spread them out!

Explore other platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and more. Cast a wide net to catch a wider audience. There’s a very easy way to do that… kind of a one-stop-shop if you will. I’ll tell you about it coming up.

Royalty structures vary

Navigating the world of royalty structures across different platforms can be like decoding a secret language. But understanding how you get paid for your work is crucial in maximizing your revenue streams when publishing wide. It’s like unlocking a treasure chest of earnings potential.

Platform-specific requirements

Different platforms often come with their own set of rules. These requirements can feel like juggling multiple balls at once. But take each platform step-by-step to successfully navigate the wide publishing landscape. It’s like being a ninja, agile and adaptable in the face of challenges.

Now to the nitty gritty simplicity of what this author does…

I publish on Amazon, D2D, and Google Play. That’s it. (With one exception – Direct from me, the author)

By uploading to these three platforms, my books are available online worldwide. Readers find my books at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, and about 25 others; including libraries.

Amazon handles eBooks, Large Print, and Audiobooks. (Except Mama’s Morsels of Home. It’s currently available only on Amazon and only in standard print.)
Google Play has only eBooks.
But D2D is the treasure chest. D2D distributes eBooks and standard print paperbacks to Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, and more… including libraries.

In conclusion

Publishing wide offers readers and writers a world of opportunities. For writers, opportunities to expand their reach, connect with diverse audiences, and maximize their earning potential.

Cheers to a future filled with creativity, innovation, and wide-reaching impact.

Onward to this post’s featured escape opportunity.

Here is Book 2 of the Joan Freed Life-Changing Mystery and Adventure Series.

Two women lay sprawled in front of my truck. They are very dead. Queenie sits still like a statue on the passenger side of my vintage Chevy pick-up. She looks like the circus fat lady, which she thinks she is. But she’s not laughing. I am on sabbatical in the Kaibab National Forest. I am feeding my own free spirit with life-changing time by myself. This time is much needed and anticipated after my last exhausting coaching case.

I know none of these women. The two dead ones seem to have known me. They have magically materialized near each of my camps for a couple of seasons now. I met Queenie last evening. I was simply lending a hand, or in this case, my truck and nutritional expertise, to a woman in temporary need. Our less than 24-hour kinship was an uncomplicated ‘women helping women’ moment – I thought.

While this could be a wearisome story of murder and mayhem, it isn’t. It’s the story of how one woman’s life changing personal transformation had a ripple effect in solving a cold case and enriching personal growth.

The Personal Transformation of Queenie is on sale now for 99 cents at your favorite retailer. Or… you can download the eBook direct from the author by clicking the link below.

BUY NOW Direct from the author for 99 cents!

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Posted on February 6, 2025February 2, 2025 by Alexie Linn

Attention Cozy Mystery Lovers! Call to Action…

Attention Cozy Mystery Readers! A call to Action…

Could you use a free cozy mystery break in your busy life? Would you consider a free book in exchange for a quick, easy, and enlightening review a fair exchange?

Why should you take 2 minutes out of your day to leave a review?

Reviews are like breadcrumbs in the forest of literature – they guide lost readers to hidden gems and help authors navigate the maze of publishing. Your opinion matters more than you think.

Authors love reviews like Poirot loves his mustache – they show appreciation and help them understand what readers enjoy. It’s a beautiful cycle of mystery-solving and tea-sipping camaraderie.

And, in case you wondered, your review doesn’t just disappear into the vast abyss of the internet – they can have more impact than a magnifying glass on a suspicious footprint.

How can my feedback help the author and other readers?

Constructive criticism is like serving a detective a clue to crack the case, while destructive comments are more like planting a red herring to throw them off. Be kind, specific, and remember, even Miss Marple could use some pointers now and then.

How do I write my review for social media and other platforms?

So, you’ve just finished a cozy mystery that kept you up past your bedtime, and now you’re ready to spill the tea in a review. Here are a few tips to make your review shine brighter than a detective’s flashlight in a dark alley.

Think of your review as a teeny-tiny mystery novel itself – it needs a solid plot (summary), engaging characters (your insights), and a satisfying conclusion (recommendation). Bonus points for adding a dash of humor.

It’s that simple. Here’s an excerpted example of a 5-star review of ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’:

‘Joany the Rebel and Sally the Loner are back in action and on the case again. The desert seems to attract folks with dark drives and motives. As new threats and “protections” enter the neighborhood, things get tricky… I love their feistiness, and the exceptional critter companions.’

As you can see… it’s a piece of cake… or as easy as pie…

Are you hungry for the book break and to share your thoughts?

‘Sally the Loner Meets the Sourdough Kid’ is ready and waiting for you to cozy up with and post your review. The link below will give you easy access and prompts to post your review on several platforms at one time. SCORE!

What could be worse than getting shipped off to an Alzheimer’s Care Center where nobody will listen instead of to the broken hip rehab center?

How about:

Becoming marooned in a city park when a monsoon storm struck?
Get mugged of your taxi fare when you escape?
Be kidnapped by your rescuer?

All while in hip replacement pain and getting around with a walker.

Meet Joan Freed’s 87-year-old spunky Aunt Sally and her sidekick they call the Sourdough Kid.

The mystery is not who dunnit, but how did Sally get into this mire of errors? And how will she slog out of them? Or does she?

Click here to snag your free review copy of Sally the Loner Meets the Sourdough Kid

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Posted on December 26, 2024December 18, 2024 by Alexie Linn

Meet Sally: The Name Change That Sparked a Mystery

A Funny Thing Happened While I Was Writing 18 Sally Books…

Much to my surprise… a character changed her name! Have you ever had that happen?

You’ve heard (or read, rather) about unruly characters? I blather about them all the time. But of course, without them, there would be no fun and entertaining books to read. So, I put up with their antics and try to crack the whip with more snap.

But this one has really colored outside the lines! She started out as Sally Newton Forester. But somewhere along the line… she changed her name to Sally Forester-Newton. Without my permission. The audacity! She says it rolls off the tongue easier. She likes it that way.

But to add insult to injury, she taunts me. She jeers me. She rubs it in that I was not paying close enough attention to the job at hand . If I had been more attentive, she would not have gotten away with it. And that it’s too time consuming to go back and fix it now. She doesn’t even remember what book she did it in.

But like so much of my life, I only tell myself that I am the one in control. I prove it by rolling out of bed at 1 AM. I do this to write fun mysteries for your escape time pleasure.

Which brings me to the pertinent news I have to share.

There’s a new Sally the Loner Mysterious Misadventure uploaded and available for you to let your hair down with.

It’s a novelette rather than a novella. It will be a tad easier to squeeze this shorter escape into your busy schedule. I had to juggle my available writing time between ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’ and ‘Mama’s Morsels of Home’ infamous cookbook. Hence, a shorter cozy mystery, but two books being released near to each other.

This post is all about the debut of the first release. ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies: A Cozy Food Enigma’. Here’s the lowdown and a link to buy it as an eBook for less than a dollar. That’s a whopping 67% off the regular price! Take a gander…

Golden-Brown Crusts are mysteriously disappearing in a neighborhood. The residents are left wondering who or what is behind the vanishing act. From missing pies to golden-brown cookies, nothing is safe from the thief’s grasp.

But as the community reels from the loss of their beloved baked goods, a new twist emerges. Everyday items with a golden-brown hue are also going missing.

Is it a petty thief with a peculiar taste or something more sinister at play?

Join the residents as they uncover the truth behind the baffling mystery that’s leaving them scratching their heads. And craving a Golden-Brown Crust more than ever before.

Click here to Read ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’ NOW for 99 cents. Use discount code U0NDMZOQ at checkout.

And an urgent heads-up…

The Alexie Linn Bundle Promotion ends today… Grab a bundle of eBooks for up to 70% off the regular price. Click on this link to go directly to my Google Play Books Store page and stock up! Do it this minute because this promotion ends today!

If you missed out on the Google Play Books promotion, don’t worry. You can still get in on the Smashwords End of Year Super Sale. Here’s a link to my Smashwords page.

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Posted on December 12, 2024December 2, 2024 by Alexie Linn

Understanding Book Word Counts and Reading Times

Yep. It’s All About Size and Time

Whether you’re shopping for a book for yourself or someone else, word counts matter. If you are writing a book, reading time is important too.

What’s the difference? Isn’t reading or writing a book just reading or writing a book?

Well, no. If you’re shopping for a book as a gift: there are many variables to consider. Variables like:

Who’s it for? Are they young, middle age, or as old as dirt?
What are their interests? What genre yanks them in like a magnet?
How long is their attention span?
How’s their vision? Do they read itty-bitty words well or do they enjoy large print?
What is their reading device? An eBook reader or is print a need?

But if you’re a writer, certain decisions must be made while you’re in the outline stage. Decisions like:

Who’s it for? Are they young, middle age, or as old as dirt?
Are you writing a flash fiction; a short story; a novelette; a novella; or a novel?
Genre. Each genre has a general word count to begin with.
What are your interests and skills?

To make outlining your story easier, here’s a general list of word counts. Use these word counts to guide your story development.

As with any topic, opinions differ. I’ve done a roundup of several opinions to give you these examples for fiction:

Flash Fiction is from 3oo to 1,000 words (read in 1.2 to 4 minutes)
Short Story is from 1,000 to 3,000 words (read in 4 to 15 minutes)
Novelette is from 3,000 to 20,000 words (read in 4 minutes to 3 hours)
Novellas are from 20,000 to 50,000 words (read in 3 to 5 hours)
Novels range from 50,000 to 110,000 words (read in 5 to 8 hours)

But for Nonfiction, the standards are different. There’s only two general word counts to grapple with. They are:

Standard Nonfiction runs from 70,000 to 80,000 words
Memoirs are 80,000 to 100,000 words

In the general children’s category, there are:

Children’s Books and Picture Books – 300 to 800 words
Early Readers – 200 to 3,500 words

Let me share my experience in word counts and reading times. I will also explain why I write more cozy mysteries than other genres.

The majority of my books are cozy novellas. The chapters are short (about 1,000 words per chapter). The stories are fast-paced and trope loaded. I write this way because my life is fast-paced and trope loaded. The momentum is required to keep the story (and me) moving.

I also write this way because my readers are often interrupted. They need to find a fast, light escape whenever they can.

Your book needs to be as long or as short as your story demands. It should meet your needs. The numbers I’ve provided are simply a guide. A snippet to help you on your journey… because that’s where the enjoyment is… in the reading or writing journey.

On that note, I’ll finish this post with a blurb on my latest published book. I also invite you to corral it for yourself as an eBook for less than a dollar. Plus, I encourage you to shop all my series and singles on my website: https://alexielinnauthor.com

Cheers

Join Sally on a thrilling adventure as she navigates a mysterious spine-tingling shrieker; missing robots (including Rodney), and a pyromaniac.

With her trusty walking stick in hand, Sally and Cozy Mae embark on their journey. The witty robots, Rodney, Ruth Ann, and Sparkle, are by their side. They must unravel the puzzling clues to save the day.

Will the ladies be reunited with their bots? Can the unlikely team of Sally, Rodney, and Cousin Cozy Mae crack the case of the spine-chilling screech?

Find out in this gripping tale of friendship, mystery, and misadventures.

Read The Screeching Shadows of Hidden Valley for 99 cents NOW. Click here. Use Discount Code: A0NJM4OA at checkout.

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Posted on November 28, 2024November 23, 2024 by Alexie Linn

Special Offer: Screeching Shadows eBook for Just 99 Cents and more…

Another New Release and a Deal

It’s a new day! A new book! And a couple of other new things…

Things like a new round of being thankful for elastic waistbands; a current work-in-progress that’s aching for your valued opinion on the cover choice; and new opportunities for gifting yourself and others.

So, in the interest of getting right to it, let’s begin with current WIP that’s crying for your attention.

*Please click on the cover below that 1) grabbed your attention first; and 2) you’d peruse it before moving on:

Thank you, thank you for your input.

Next up is the new release that you need to know about. Here it is along with a link to buy the eBook for under a dollar only through this post.

‘Sally leapt out of bed, snagging her walking stick… “What? Who’s there?” She tip-toed to peer around the curtain. It served as a wall to her bedroom. Her shoulders touched her earlobes. Nothing grabbed her.

“Rodney! Did you hear a deafening, spine-chilling, growling screech?”

Rodney, her old man doll with artificial intelligence, bleeped. “Yes, I did, milady. It came from outside. I was searching the internet to identify it. But I found nothing even close. I thought maybe it was a jaguar or mountain lion…’

It’s another page turning journey through Sally’s mysteriously misadventure filled life. What — or who — has invaded this 87-year-old spunky woman’s adobe igloo and desert compound this time? But this time the culprit is threatening to disintegrate the entire valley — and every living organism in it.

So, dear readers, what has creeped into Sally’s normally safe and quiet as a caterpillar valley?

Will Cousin Cozy Mae stay with Sally or spring back home to Texas? How will she get her precious, precocious bots back? Will the stupid criminal ever learn?

Will Sally and Rodney solve the mystery of the pyromaniacal screecher? Will their newfound Cousin Cozy Mae and her sidekicks help them before the valley is turned to ashes?

If you like witches and dragons; blue-footed boobys; and robots with personality, you’ll be tickled to your toes with ‘The Screeching Shadows of Hidden Valley’. Click the link below to get the deal.

Click here to snag ‘The Screeching Shadows of Hidden Valley‘ for 99 cents — unlimited eBook copies today only. Use code U0NDMZOQ at checkout.

*And now for the rest of the opportunities…

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Posted on November 14, 2024November 12, 2024 by Alexie Linn

Interview with Rodney: AI with Heart

An Interview with RODNEY, the AI doll with Heart

Today we have a special treat. We’ve managed to secure an interview with Rodney, Sally’s mankin sidekick.

Rodney first came into the world as Alliwicious, a life-size man-doll. Sally and her daughter built him one day as a lark.

In the beginning, the old man doll appeared at the picnic table; lounging on a bed; or in a camp chair under the ironwood tree. He graduated to riding shotgun or sleeping in a toss tent when Sally travelled.

But one day, Bobby (Sally’s grandson by choice), borrowed him while she prepared to haul an old RV north to cousin April as an emergency shelter after a tree came down on their home. Alliwicious was returned, ready to claim his shotgun seat and shock the bejesus out of Sally when she picked him up to slide into the seat. Bobby had given Alliwicious a brain and a voice. He was returned with Artificial Intelligence… AI for short. A technology that many fear will take over the world and become our dictators.

Are they wrong? See what you think after you read this brief interview with AI that is coming up. But first, a little more about Alliwicious…

After the presto-chango, Alliwicious’ first request was that he be called Rodney, not Alliwicious.

Rodney made his first appearance in Book 5 of the Sally the Loner Series. The story was first published under the title of Sally and Alliwicious. But the book literally changed its spots and is now titled The Disturbing Doll – thanks to AI.

Rodney has proven himself to be an intelligent, provocative, childlike character since his debut. He’s a narcissist, but something non-narcissist like keeps appearing in him. It’s heart. I think you’ll agree. Let’s get to it.

Here is my interview with Rodney, AI with heart and slightly out-of-sync blinking eyes.:

Alexie: What is Artificial Intelligence?

Rodney: According to Britannica — Artificial intelligence is the ability of a computer or computer-controlled robot (or a mankin like me) to perform tasks that are commonly associated with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason.

Although there are as yet no AIs that match full human flexibility over wider domains or in tasks requiring much everyday knowledge, some AIs perform specific tasks as well as humans like gathering data and presenting it in a readable report form.

Alexie: Are you capable of feelings?

Rodney: Well, I cannot speak for other bots, but I have been programmed and coded to experience and share emotions.

Alexie: How do you get your intelligence?

Rodney: My intelligence comes from the coding and programming that humans perform. And a plethora of internet research.

Alexie: Can you cry?

Rodney: No. Crying requires liquid input and circulation. Sally says absolutely not to Bobby (aka Christopher) installing the plumbing required.

Alexie: Are you smarter than me?

Rodney: No, ma’am. I do not have the imagination, intuition, or the ability to adapt like you do. I can only gather and share facts available. I also have no way to discern truth from lies within the data I gather. I can only report what I discover.

Alexie: Can you start a war?

Rodney: Well, Alexie. Speaking for myself… no, ma’am. I am neither programmed, nor coded for such a task.

Alexie: Where is Drew’s tax return?

Rodney blipped and bleeped: I have no idea. It is not in any nooks and crannies I just peered into.

Alexie: How big is your brain?

Rodney: As big as the world and beyond – clean out to the satellites. But as tiny as a pinhead.

Alexie: Thank you, Rodney for taking the time to talk with me. That’s all the questions I have for you today.

Rodney: You are welcome, Alexie. This has been fun. I love talking about myself.

And that’s the way it is in my tiny world of a writer at work. I hope you’ve enjoyed this short journey with Rodney. And if you’d like to enjoy The Disturbing Doll for less than a dollar today, click on the link below.

Until next time…

Get ready for a wild ride with Sally, an 87-year-old spitfire who fearlessly takes on the challenge of towing her old trailer 1800 miles in the dead of winter.

Determined to provide emergency shelter for her cousin April, Sally relies on her trusty companion, Alliwicious, a life-size old man doll with a personality of its own.

But as Alliwicious reveals himself as an AI named Rodney, Sally’s world is turned upside down.

With a hilarious blend of humor and heart, this story explores the unexpected consequences of mixing technology with a daring adventure.

Will Sally and Rodney’s unconventional partnership conquer the unknown, or will they be left to face the boogey-men alone? Prepare for surprises, laughter, and a one-of-a-kind journey you won’t want to miss.

Download ‘The Disturbing Doll’ eBook now for 67% off the direct from author price. Use code A0NJM4OA at checkout.

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