Author: Dora Hiers

My Review of FATAL JUDGMENT by Irene Hannon

/ Dora Hiers / 2 Comments

The back cover blurb:

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor has seen plenty of action during his years in law enforcement. But he’d rather go back to Iraq than face his next assignment: protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward the coldhearted workaholic haven’t warmed in the five years since she drove her husband–and Jake’s best friend–to despair . . . and possible suicide.

As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, he’s forced to revise his opinion of her. And when it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life–and his heart–are in danger.

My review:

Wow! What’s not to like about Fatal Judgment? I enjoyed every aspect of this book…the characters, the dialogue, the plot, the ending. Jake’s initial dislike of Liz progressed naturally, not forced or rushed, creating the perfect blend of romance and suspense for me. A plausible plot, likeable characters, and an organic faith thread made this book a real-page turning combination.

Although I downloaded a free version of Fatal Judgment, I will purchase the next book in the series, Deadly Pursuit, which is available now. Five stars, Ms. Hannon!

Purchase Link for Fatal Judgment

How do you feel about this “free download” marketing strategy?

Do you read a free download, and then immediately purchase the next book by that author? On every occasion except one, I have purchased successive books by authors after reading a free kindle download. I’m convinced that this marketing strategy works. What about you? Do you buy into this marketing strategy? Do you find new authors this way?

Meet Lexi from Shattered Identity by K. Dawn Byrd

/ Dora Hiers / 2 Comments

K. Dawn Byrd is back with her latest YA inspirational romance, Shattered Identity. Let’s meet Lexi, the leading lady.

Tell us about yourself, Lexi.
I’ve been told I’m beautiful, especially by the guys. Oh, I’m great in math. I’m so good that my teacher has asked me to tutor other students who aren’t getting it. I only tutor hot guys though.


What do you like to do in your spare time? And what things do you avoid?
I hang out with my new boyfriend, Zack. My mom wouldn’t exactly approve because I’m 19 and he’s 25, so I haven’t told her about him. Maybe one day.

Eden used to ask me to go to church with her. I went a couple of times, but it wasn’t my thing. Now, Jeremy is bugging me about church. We can’t even have a conversation without him bringing it up. Just give it a rest, people!

What’s your biggest fear?
Rejection. I guess it goes back to when my dad left Mom and me. I felt rejected and still do since I never get to see him. I can’t stand feeling that way. That’s why I tried to take Eden’s boyfriend away from her. I knew he wanted her instead of me and I couldn’t take the rejection.

What’s your dream life, Lexi?
I want to go to college, get married, and have a couple of kids one day. Right now, I can’t trust my mom to stay sober, so I have no immediate plans for college. I feel like my life is on hold.

Any regrets?
I would change the fact that sometimes I do things without thinking about the consequences and people I care about get hurt. If I’d really thought it through, I never would have gone after Eden’s boyfriend. That cost us our friendship and I miss her.

Blurb for Shattered Identity:
Lexi Branson thinks she’s found the guy of her dreams. So what if he’s older? Her new motto is, “Love knows no boundaries or age limits.” Zack Bane loves her and treats her like a princess and that’s all that matters.

Lexi soons discovers that she doesn’t know Zack as well as she thought. He has secrets, the kind that shatter the lives of those who love him. When faced with the truth, Lexi tries to hang onto him because she has a secret of her own.

When Lexi ends up in danger, she discovers she has no one to turn to except her ex-boyfriend, Jeremy. Can Jeremey, who is still in love with her, keep her safe from Zack? When faced with a choice will Lexi choose to stay with the guy who has become a stranger or will she choose Jeremy, the guy who loves her with all his heart?

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and avid blogger who gives away several books per week on her blog at http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She’s also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444. 


When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

Sales and Use Tax

/ Dora Hiers / 3 Comments

Are writers responsible for remitting Sales & Use Tax on booksigning revenues or not?
Ouch! I can hear your groan. “Noooo!”

Hmmm…that’s a good question and one not many writers think about. Or should I say, that’s not a question writers want to consider.

For those writers like me who supply their own books for booksignings/sales, the ideal scenario would be to pay sales tax directly to the vendor when you purchase your books. In my case, that’s not possible. So…

The North Carolina Department Of Revenue website states that if a writer…on two or more occasions within a 12-month period, either makes taxable sales to users, consumers, or non-registered merchants or makes purchases subject to use tax is not engaged exclusively in the business of making wholesale sales and must begin filing sales and use tax returns.

Does this mean you? 
I knew I would conduct more than 2 booksignings within a 12-month period, so I filed for a Sales & Use Tax identification number. Filing online was relatively painless and didn’t take long. Not long after you file for the id number, you will receive coupons by mail.

How often do I file?
Because I anticipate a tax liability less than $100 per month, I can file quarterly, either online or by coupon/mail. Also, something to keep in mind, for NC, sales should be broken down by county. If I conduct a booksigning in Rowan County, I must charge the rate for that county, not my county of residence. Again, I found that to be fairly straightforward online, it’s just a matter of knowing the rate for the county you’re visiting.

Here are some other items to consider:
Consignment sales: 
Currently, I have books on consignment with an independent bookstore. They collect the sales revenue, remit the tax, and then send me a profit check. I am not liable for tax in this instance, because the bookstore remitted the tax.

Out of state sales: 
OK, this is where it gets a little tricky. Each state has different requirements. For instance, I’m scheduled for a booksigning in TN and another in VA, both with varying laws. According to a TN rep, I’m only required to file a Sales & Use Tax form after I reach $4800 sales per year. Since that’s not the case, they instructed me to file a simple Consumer Return. VA is even better. Since I only plan to do 2 booksignings in VA, I’m not required to file. Yay!


Requirements vary by state, so make sure you check with your state for tax guidelines.

If you’re a writer who supplies your own books for signings, how do you handle Sales & Use Tax?