Sorry I’ve been MIA the last few weeks. I realize I haven’t updated winners from release day and I have a few winners left to email from my ENTWINED Release Contest (thanks to all who played along, btw!). I’m hoping to get to all of that today. Release week I was in Orlando for the 2010 RWA Conference and my hotel had really slow, awful internet. By the time I got through pertinent emails I didn’t have enough patience for the blog (It might have resulted in serious computer damage). Then I was in Hammock Beach, FL the week after for vacation (which was awesome…I’ll post pics of both RWA and the beach soon), and this week has been crazy for a variety of reasons but mostly because I’ve been down with the flu.
So…long story short…I’m feeling human again and hope to make some winners happy today!
But before I do that…I’m here to make you ALL happy…
MARKED is a Free Book Friday selection from B&N! Wanna read the book for free? Go download it NOW! How’s that for an awesome Friday the 13th?
I want to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all the Golden Heart finalists who participated in my GH Spotlights the last few months. I had a great time getting to know you all and really appreciate you sharing a little about yourselves, your writing and your stories with the rest of us.
As most of you know, I was a GH finalist in 2007 and it’s an experience I will never forget. I truly believe the experience jump-started my career, and I’m happy I was able to introduce my readers to some up and come new authors. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing from many of you in the weeks and months and years to come.
The Golden Heart awards honors excellence in unpublished romance manuscripts In honor of this year’s Golden Heart finalists, I’ve put together the full list of finalists for the 2010 Golden Heart Awards, which will be given out this Saturday, July 31st, in Orlando, Florida at the 30th Annual Romance Writers of America National Conference.
And the finalists are…
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Contemporary Series Romance:
Caught Beneath the Mistletoe
by Tina Joyce
Games Without Rules by Nancy Holland
Honey, I’m Home by Laurie Kellogg
The Reluctant Nude by Cara McKenna
Laura Takes a Lover by Mary Oldham
Fake Fiancee, Real Love
by Cat Shield
The Magic Man
by Paula Stelluto
Hometown Star by Joleen Wieser James
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure:
Breathless by Kimberly Ann Howe
Wanted: Dead by Tina Joyce
Hollywood Hoodoo
by Rochelle Staab
See Jane Run by Angie Platt
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Contemporary Single Title Romance:
For Love or Money
by Elizabeth Bemis
Sharing Spaces by Laura Graham Booth
Steel Hearts by Nan Dixon
Rules of the Road
by Hope Ramsay
Songbird by Lizbeth Selvig
Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy
by Abigail Sharpe
Three Little Words by Paula Stelluto
Seattle’s Best
by Carolyn Ann Whitecarver
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Historical Romance:
Good-Timin’ Man by Alison Atwater
The Healer
by Elisabeth Burke
The Serpent’s Tooth
by Jessica Darago
In Longfellow’s Keep by Mary Lawrence
Rafe’s Redemption
by Jennifer Jakes
Between Heaven and Hell
by Jacqui Nelson
Overlander
by Clarissa Southwick
Wild Flower
by Lynda Bailey
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Inspirational Romance:
Unforgiven by CJ Eernisse Chase
Violets & Violins
by Kelly Gwyn
Here Comes the Wedding Planner
by Kristin Leigh Wallace
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Novel with Strong Romantic Elements:
Damaged Goods by Barbara Binns
A Place at the Table
by Patricia O’Dea Rosen
Fortune’s Gold
by Jane Sevier
The Lake Effect by Gabrielle Luthy
Switching Sides
by Maureen McGowen
The Sinners by Lisa Connelly
Rescuing Rembrandt
by Jean Willett
When the Bough Breaks by Chris Keniston
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Paranormal Romance
Glorious Misfortune by Donnell Epperson
The Perfect Adventure
by Katrina Snow
Something Wicked by A.N. Conway
Bloodborn: Book One in the Light Blade Series
by Kylie Griffin
Shadowed by Sharon Lynn Fisher
Honor Bound by J. Keely Thrall
Ancient Skills by Robin Weaver
The Divine Gate by Morgan Karpiel
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Regency Historical Romance
Her Husband’s Harlot by Grace Chow
A Whiff of Scandal by Robyn Enlund
To Seduce a Proper Rogue
by Gillian Layne
A Most Improper Gentleman by Elisa Beatty
Sweet Enemy by Heather Snow
My Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Stock
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Romantic Suspense
Deadly Recall
by Donnell Ann Bell
He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not
by Lena Diaz
Stronger than Bone
by Kendra Elliot
Counterfeit by Linda Lovely
Dangerous Summer
by Greta MacEachern
The Yard Man
by G. Jillian Stone
Midnight Guardian by Sharon Brennan Wray
The Poet’s Secret by Kenneth Zak
2010 Golden Heart Finalists – Young Adult Romance
Ghost-Ridden
by Vanessa Barneveld
Shattered by Shea Berkley
Bloom by Shelley Coriell
Welcome Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
The Halo Chronicles: The Guardian by Carey Corp
Squeeze Three Times
by Kimberly Eve MacCarron
Unchosen by Erica O’Rourke
Congrats to all the finalists and best of luck to each and every one of you!!
Be sure to check the RWA National Website Saturday night to see who the lucky winners are!
I’m very excited that ENTWINED is finally on store shelves today! ENTWINED is the second book in my Eternal Guardians series and a book that is very near and dear to my heart…
ZANDER — The most feared of all the Eternal Guardians. It’s rumored he can’t be killed, and he always fights like he has nothing to lose. But as a descendant of the famed hero Achilles, he’s got to have a vulnerability… somewhere.
Forces of daemons are gathering and have broken through the barriers of the Underworld. Now more than ever the Eternal Guardians are needed to protect both their own realm and the humans’. Zander can’t afford to think about what might have been with the bewitching physician he once regarded as his soul mate. But with eternity stretching before him, he also can’t fathom spending his life without the one woman who makes him feel most alive. Perhaps he’s found his weakness, after all…
I’m currently on a plane heading to Orlando for the RWA National Convention, but I couldn’t let this day go by without a little fun. In honor of ENTWINED’s release, I’m giving away a bunch of awesome prizes!
1 flex light book light
1 Lia Sophia Greek crystal slide necklace
3 autographed copies of MARKED (3 winners)
3 autographed copies of ENTWINED (3 winners)
To be entered into today’s drawing for any one of these great prizes, all you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me you can’t wait to read ENTWINED!
Happy Reading and thanks to all who buy ENTWINED this week!
Abigail Sharpe is a displaced Yankee living in North Central Florida. She’s worked as a computer lab operator, a hostess for birthday parties at an arcade, a market researcher, as a lingerie saleslady, a secretary, in a costume shop for Halloween, and as a technical writer. Her stories are full of love and laughter and the ever-important happily ever after. See what’s on her mind at Don’t Hang Up the Quill.
Abigail’s Golden Heart manuscript is WHO WANTS TO MARRY A COWBOY, which finaled in Contemporary Single Title:
Cowboy Riley Pommer lives with his three younger siblings on their pay-to-play-cowboy ranch, helping care for them since the death of their father. After leaving his job as a forest ranger, he’s getting used to living at home again when his sisters decide to bring some happiness into his life. Without telling him, they invite twelve single women from across the country to visit the ranch, hoping one of them can lasso his heart.
Ainsley Fairfax participates in the martial rodeo as a way of escaping her overbearing mother. As a florist, she’s more interested in the ranch’s greenhouse than any smelly cowboy so desperate for a woman that he needs a contest to find a wife.
Ainsley’s misconceptions are shattered when she meets Riley and realizes he’s neither smelly nor desperate. He’s also not happy about the wife wannabes invading his ranch. Neither Ainsley or Riley expect the attraction that develops between them and the other would-be wives take every chance they get to sabotage the new relationship.
And now a little more about Abigail…
1) How long have you been writing?
My first serious attempt at writing was in late 2005 for the National Novel Writing Month. It was a fanfic (though I had no idea there was such a thing) focusing on Mary from Pride and Prejudice and what happens after her sisters’ weddings. After that, I really thought I could do this and started writing in earnest in 2006.
2) Did you always want to be an author or is this something you fell into later in life? Later. So much later. I used to think people were crazy if they told me they were writing a novel. I always enjoyed writing, though, but it was more along the lines of reports or technical manuals.
3) What do you do in your “other” life? (Day job, family, etc.)
I write technical manuals, and sometimes switching from structured language to creative writing is a huge challenge!
4) Who are your favorite authors?
How much space you got? *laugh* The ones I have practically memorized are Diana Gabaldon, Mark Twain, and Jane Austen. High up on my list are Rachel Gibson and CL Wilson. I’ve been introduced to so many amazing writers that it would be hard to list all my favorites.
5) Do you have an agent?
No, but I’m actively querying.
6) Where do you see yourself in five years? Writing, writing, writing. Of course I’d love to be published as well and see myself in a book store!
Finally, in Abigail’s own words…
Procrastination
It’s not a good thing when you decide to do a blog post about writer’s block and you have nothing to say. So you procrastinate, hoping something will come to you. Then come the excuses: I’ll feel like writing it tomorrow. I need a break. I don’t have any ideas. It’s not interesting. Please, someone, set something on fire so I’ll have a legitimate excuse to not write anything tonight.
You tell your muse to get back in your head and stop scoping out the cabana boys rockin’ on whatever beach she’s disappeared to. And she laughs at you, and shows you the hunk of man who oozes sexuality like you oozed frosting on the chocolate cake you decorated earlier that day, and she leaves you alone. Now you have no thoughts, no inspiration, and your mind wanders to the ménage à trios you could be having with the men in your life, Ben and Jerry. (And I live near two scoop shops!)
Some things I’ve used with some success:
Take a walk. Close your eyes and take a deep breath, and try to describe what you’re smelling in a new and unique way.
Switch the way you write. If you normally listen to classical music, put on some Metallica or turn off the tunes. Get a pad of paper and pen and write the old-fashioned way. Take your laptop off the desk and into your backyard.
Change what you’re writing. Pen a short story. Write a letter. Do something to take a mini-vacation from your current work in progress.
Give yourself a writing challenge. At the beginning of the year, I challenged myself to write 100 words every day for 100 days. If I missed a day, I’d have to start over. Let me tell you, halfway through I didn’t want to write, but no way was I going to start over.
Hand write a paragraph from your favorite published novel and figure out why it draws you.
Turn off your Internet access or find some place to write that doesn’t have wireless.
If all else fails, do what an RWA chaptermate said to me. Give yourself a choice. Write something, or clean your bathroom. I guarantee writing will win every time.
What do you do? What are your secrets to get those creative juices flowing?
Today is the LAST official day of the ENTWINED RELEASE CONTEST. ENTWINED officially hits store shelves tomorrow!!! In honor of release day, I’m going to be giving away a BUNCH of prizes, so be sure to check back here tomorrow!!
Now on to day 15…
(I’m going to be reposting the contest rules at the beginning of each post. If you’ve already read them, scroll down for today’s post and questions.)
To celebrate the release of ENTWINED, I’m giving away a BUNCH of prizes. There are two parts to this contest:
PART ONE : Post the ENTWINED widget (below) on your FB page, blog sidebar, tweet about the contest and/or book, email your friends and spread the word…basically, any way you talk up the book or contest will enter you for one of three $25 gift cards to the online bookstore of your choice. Winners will be selected after I return from RWA Nationals, the first week in August. Once you’ve done that, email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com and tell me blabbed about ENTWINED. Be sure to put ENTWINED Release Contest in the subject line. (If you already posted the widget from the blog post I did last week, you’re already entered.) Enter as many times as you like. Every time you spread the word about book 2 in the Eternal Guardians series, send me an email.
PART TWO: Each day for the next two weeks I’ll be giving away AWESOME prizes and spotlighting some fabulous authors. Comment on the daily post to be entered into that day’s drawing. Winners will be chosen randomly from comments and will get to pick their prize. Once a prize is chosen, it’s crossed off the list. Here are the prizes you can win:
Got Demon? Mug from author Saranna DeWylde Beneath the Surface by MJ Fredrick Primordial by Denise Agnew – won by Melanie (day 9 winner) His Darkest Embrace e-arc by Juliana Stone- won by Diana (day 5 winner) Unbridled by Beth Williamson – won by Jeanette J. (day 10 winner) Huddle With Me Tonight by Farrah Rochon Relentless by Lauren Dane – won by Minnchica (day 7 winner) Revelation (ecopy) by Lauren Dane – won by Pam K (day 8 winner) Sunrise in A Garden of Love & Evil by Barbara Monajem – won by Barbara E (day 3 winner) All He Desires by Anthea Lawson The Phoenix Charm by Helen Scott Taylor – won by Lindsey E. (day 11 winner) Animal Instinct (ecopy) by Michelle Pillow – won by Cathy (day 10 winner)
$10 Starbucks Card from Phyllis Bourne Montana Dawn by Caroline Fyffe Dangerous As Sin & $10 Borders Gift Card from Alix Rickloff – won by Robin L (day 2 winner) Ancient Whispers by Marie-Claude Bourque Forged of Shadows by Jessa Slade – won by Cyberclipper (day 5 winner) Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison – won by Giada (day 3 winner) Lord of Pleasure & $10 Starbucks Gift Card from Delilah Marvelle – won by Jody F (day 7 winner) $20 Borders Gift Card from Joan Swan – won by Limecello (day 1 winner) Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden won by Nikki (day 6 winner) Forbidden Highlander by Donna Grant – won by Julie (day 4 winner)
I’ve saved the very best for last. Today, my guest is my fantabulous critique partner, whose first romantic suspense will be out soon from Kensington. Please welcome…
Joan Swan!
I’m not much of a blogger. I love reading them, just not writing them. For whatever reason, writing about the writing process adds to the tedium and drains all the creative pleasure for me. And since I don’t believe anyone wants to read about the monotony of my ordinary day, the result is that I don’t blog much.
One of the things I do like to talk about is how to start writing, keep writing and feel good when you’re writing. Anyone who writes knows what a struggle it is. Even readers who follow writers know, because we’re always talking about it. We can’t help but talk about it. Because…yeah, writing is a labor of love, like raising children or building a house or starting your own business from the ground up.
For all you writers out there, here are 10 tips I’ve put together that have been key to my writers inner journey.
TRUST…your gut, your heart, your uniqueness; your agent, your editor, your critique partner
GROW…master your craft. Strive for your next book to be better than your last in every way. Never stop learning.
PERSEVERE…even if all you can manage is one word at a time.
STAY POSITIVE…cultivate gratitude. Find the silver lining. Every little bit helps.
BE SELECTIVE…in who you trust, who you associate with, who you elicit feedback from.
TAKE THE HIGH ROAD…always. In the end, you’ll be glad you did.
VENT…in private with someone you trust. It’s healthy. It weeds out negativity and makes room for positivity.
BE YOURSELF…you are as unique as the publishing industry. Celebrate that.
LOVE YOURSELF…treat yourself with patience, kindness and understanding—the way you would treat your best friend.
BELIEVE…in fate, in luck, in karma, in timing, but most of all, believe in yourself.
To be entered into today’s drawing, share your tips for writing, staying positive or just plain getting through the day.
Only TWO more days of authors, fun and prizes. Be sure to check back on release day – Tuesday, July 27th. I’ve got some special treats in store for my readers!! Now on to day 14…
(I’m going to be reposting the contest rules at the beginning of each post. If you’ve already read them, scroll down for today’s post and questions.)
To celebrate the release of ENTWINED, I’m giving away a BUNCH of prizes. There are two parts to this contest:
PART ONE : Post the ENTWINED widget (below) on your FB page, blog sidebar, tweet about the contest and/or book, email your friends and spread the word…basically, any way you talk up the book or contest will enter you for one of three $25 gift cards to the online bookstore of your choice. Winners will be selected after I return from RWA Nationals, the first week in August. Once you’ve done that, email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com and tell me blabbed about ENTWINED. Be sure to put ENTWINED Release Contest in the subject line. (If you already posted the widget from the blog post I did last week, you’re already entered.) Enter as many times as you like. Every time you spread the word about book 2 in the Eternal Guardians series, send me an email.
PART TWO: Each day for the next two weeks I’ll be giving away AWESOME prizes and spotlighting some fabulous authors. Comment on the daily post to be entered into that day’s drawing. Winners will be chosen randomly from comments and will get to pick their prize. Once a prize is chosen, it’s crossed off the list. Here are the prizes you can win:
Got Demon? Mug from author Saranna DeWylde Beneath the Surface by MJ Fredrick Primordial by Denise Agnew – won by Melanie (day 9 winner) His Darkest Embrace e-arc by Juliana Stone- won by Diana (day 5 winner) Unbridled by Beth Williamson – won by Jeanette J. (day 10 winner) Huddle With Me Tonight by Farrah Rochon Relentless by Lauren Dane – won by Minnchica (day 7 winner) Revelation (ecopy) by Lauren Dane – won by Pam K (day 8 winner) Sunrise in A Garden of Love & Evil by Barbara Monajem – won by Barbara E (day 3 winner) All He Desires by Anthea Lawson The Phoenix Charm by Helen Scott Taylor – won by Lindsey E. (day 11 winner) Animal Instinct (ecopy) by Michelle Pillow – won by Cathy (day 10 winner)
$10 Starbucks Card from Phyllis Bourne Montana Dawn by Caroline Fyffe Dangerous As Sin & $10 Borders Gift Card from Alix Rickloff – won by Robin L (day 2 winner) Ancient Whispers by Marie-Claude Bourque Forged of Shadows by Jessa Slade – won by Cyberclipper (day 5 winner) Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison – won by Giada (day 3 winner) Lord of Pleasure & $10 Starbucks Gift Card from Delilah Marvelle – won by Jody F (day 7 winner) $20 Borders Gift Card from Joan Swan – won by Limecello (day 1 winner) Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden won by Nikki (day 6 winner) Forbidden Highlander by Donna Grant – won by Julie (day 4 winner)
Today’s Guest is JESSA SLADE!!!
First off, congrats to Elisabeth on her newest Eternal Guardians release! I’m going to dance like Kermit for just a moment because she’ll be presiding over an ENTWINED release party in our adjacent rooms at the Romance Writers of America conference in a few days. I’m thinking this may be our only chance to trash a motel room, rock star style.
If you live near Orlando, you can find Elisabeth, me and a couple hundred other romance authors at the 2010 “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing. The book fair—free and open to the public—takes place Wednesday, July 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, Pacific Exhibit Hall, in Orlando, Florida.
Literacy holds a special place in the hearts of writers. Like Tinkerbell couldn’t survive if her audience didn’t believe, books don’t come alive without readers, so authors love readers! More than that, writers are readers first. Most of us could be found with books in our hands from a very young age.
My mom read me Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings when I was a kid. Obviously I was doomed to be a writer of fantastical good and evil! Although I write more kissing than Tolkien did
Here’s the first kiss from FORGED OF SHADOWS, the second book in my Marked Souls urban fantasy romance series. Our heroine, Jilly Chan, has just recently learned that Chicago is infested with malevolent demons—their darkness opposed only by repentant demons possessing some seriously alpha male warriors. And she finds out from Liam Niall, leader of those demon-possessed warriors, that now she’s possessed too.
* * *
Her skin prickled like static electricity, and she wondered if her hair was standing on end. “Are you trying to start a fight?”
“Part of me is, apparently. Damn it.”
“Yes, yes, damn you,” she parroted snidely.
Abruptly, he smiled. The flash of white teeth startled her. “If I do or if I don’t. So I might as well.”
Hands clasped behind his back, he leaned over and kissed her.
Jilly sensed the incoming kiss, felt the pressure wave of the electric current spike the moment before he moved, so her skin flushed with warning heat. And she didn’t step back.
She’d wondered, of course, how his kiss would be. No woman with breath wouldn’t wonder. She hadn’t thought she’d indulge her curiosity, though, since she was a woman who knew stupid as well as sexy, and while Liam Niall was definitely sexy, kissing him was definitely stupid—especially since he was far too calculating for his own good, or for her own bad, as the case might be.
And then he slanted his mouth over hers and the wild circle of her thoughts flew apart.
Warm. Soft. And as fleeting as his smile.
The sigh of his breath was gone before she caught more than a whiff of that elusive scent, heather and woodsmoke. Her own breath hitched in her chest, as if he’d taken something from her, more frightening than the knife that had pierced and slid from her body with such ease.
He lifted his head and gazed down at her. She realized her hands were fisted in the front of his coat, not flattened to push him away, but tangled tight to draw him closer. In the dark blue of his eyes, she caught a glimpse of bewilderment as profound as her own. Where had the steady, reserved leader gone?
She drew in a deep lungful of bracing chill. “What was that?”
“A kiss, last I checked.” He paused. “Although I admit it has been a while.” With one finger, he touched his lower lip, just a glancing caress, as if he was double- and triple-checking.
That hinted uncertainty sent another wave of heat coursing through her. “Why?”
“Leading a gang of immortal demon slayers doesn’t leave a lot of time for deep, meaningful relationships.”
She glared at him for his purposeful obtuseness. “Why did you kiss me?”
* * *
Silly Jilly, alpha males don’t need a reason for kissing, although Tolkien would probably make up a secret language in a separate appendix to explain why. To read more of FORGED OF SHADOWS visit http://tinyurl.com/forgedofshadows. Need a soundtrack to go along with the reading? You can download the free MP3 of the Marked Souls theme song at http://tinyurl.com/seducedsingle.
How about you; did you have a special book you read as a child that launched your love of reading? Share your recommendations in comments and maybe someday we can tempt a non-reader to follow us to the dark side.
(BONUS NOTE: Jessa has gratiously donated another copy of FORGED OF SHADOWS for today’s contest. So we’ll have two winners today – one will get to pick from the remaining prizes on the prize list, one will get FORGED OF SHADOWS!!! Andwer Jessa’s question above to be entered for both prizes!)
Three more days of authors, fun and prizes. Be sure to check back on release day – Tuesday, July 27th. I’ve got some special treats in store for my readers!! Now on to day 132…
(I’m going to be reposting the contest rules at the beginning of each post. If you’ve already read them, scroll down for today’s post and questions.)
To celebrate the release of ENTWINED, I’m giving away a BUNCH of prizes. There are two parts to this contest:
PART ONE : Post the ENTWINED widget (below) on your FB page, blog sidebar, tweet about the contest and/or book, email your friends and spread the word…basically, any way you talk up the book or contest will enter you for one of three $25 gift cards to the online bookstore of your choice. Winners will be selected after I return from RWA Nationals, the first week in August. Once you’ve done that, email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com and tell me blabbed about ENTWINED. Be sure to put ENTWINED Release Contest in the subject line. (If you already posted the widget from the blog post I did last week, you’re already entered.) Enter as many times as you like. Every time you spread the word about book 2 in the Eternal Guardians series, send me an email.
PART TWO: Each day for the next two weeks I’ll be giving away AWESOME prizes and spotlighting some fabulous authors. Comment on the daily post to be entered into that day’s drawing. Winners will be chosen randomly from comments and will get to pick their prize. Once a prize is chosen, it’s crossed off the list. Here are the prizes you can win:
Got Demon? Mug from author Saranna DeWylde Beneath the Surface by MJ Fredrick Primordial by Denise Agnew - won by Melanie (day 9 winner) His Darkest Embrace e-arc by Juliana Stone- won by Diana (day 5 winner) Unbridled by Beth Williamson - won by Jeanette J. (day 10 winner) Huddle With Me Tonight by Farrah Rochon Relentless by Lauren Dane – won by Minnchica (day 7 winner) Revelation (ecopy) by Lauren Dane – won by Pam K (day 8 winner) Sunrise in A Garden of Love & Evil by Barbara Monajem – won by Barbara E (day 3 winner) All He Desires by Anthea Lawson The Phoenix Charm by Helen Scott Taylor - won by Lindsey E. (day 11 winner) Animal Instinct (ecopy) by Michelle Pillow - won by Cathy (day 10 winner)
$10 Starbucks Card from Phyllis Bourne Montana Dawn by Caroline Fyffe Dangerous As Sin & $10 Borders Gift Card from Alix Rickloff – won by Robin L (day 2 winner) Ancient Whispers by Marie-Claude Bourque Forged of Shadows by Jessa Slade – won by Cyberclipper (day 5 winner) Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison – won by Giada (day 3 winner) Lord of Pleasure & $10 Starbucks Gift Card from Delilah Marvelle – won by Jody F (day 7 winner) $20 Borders Gift Card from Joan Swan – won by Limecello (day 1 winner) Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden won by Nikki (day 6 winner) Forbidden Highlander by Donna Grant – won by Julie (day 4 winner)
Today is another Two-fer!
First up is Erin Kellison!
Erin’s first two books released back to back. SHADOW BOUND was a July release, and if you missed this awesome debut, you’ll want to run out and get it. SHADOW FALL hits store shelves on July 27th:
Sacrifice Custo Santovari accepted pain, blood, even death, to save his best friend. But a man with all his sins just isn’t cut out to be an angel.
Mystery
One moment he’s fleeing Heaven; the next, he’s waking up stark naked in Manhattan. In the middle of a war. Called there by a woman who’s desperately afraid of the dark.
Shadow It gathers around Annabella as she performs, filled with fantastic images of another world, bringing both a golden hero and a nightmare lover.
Wolf He pursues her relentlessly, twisting her desires even as she gives herself to the man she loves. Because each of us has a wild side, and Annabella is about to unleash the beast.
Cynthia’s upcoming release is DEADLY FEAR, the first in her new romantic suspense series from Grand Central Publishing, which releases on July 27th as well:
TWO BRILLIANT AGENTS
FBI Special Agent Monica Davenport has made a career out of profiling serial killers. But getting inside the twisted minds of the cruel and the sadistic has taken its toll: She’s walled herself off from the world. Yet Monica can’t ignore fellow agent Luke Dante, the only man who ever broke through her defenses.
ONE DREAM TEAM
Luke has the unique ability to put victims at ease…professionally, he and Monica made a perfect team. Now they’re reunited to catch a murderer who uses his victims’ deepest, darkest fears for sport – but their investigative skills aren’t enough. Luke and Monica will have to face the secrets from their past, the ones that terrify them the most, if they are to have a future together.
But can they catch a killer whose weapon is…DEADLY FEAR?
Okay, two winners will be picked again today. To be entered into the drawing for your choice of prize, answer the following question…
Both of these books have to do with secrets, suspense and danger. What is your biggest fear?
Posted in Uncategorized|12 People Said|Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: CrystalGB - JoAnna B - Mariska - Ina - Julie swaney -
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
We’re winding down. Four more days of authors, fun and prizes. Be sure to check back on release day – Tuesday, July 27th. I’ve got some special treats in store for my readers!! Now on to day 12…
(I’m going to be reposting the contest rules at the beginning of each post. If you’ve already read them, scroll down for today’s post and questions.)
To celebrate the release of ENTWINED, I’m giving away a BUNCH of prizes. There are two parts to this contest:
PART ONE : Post the ENTWINED widget (below) on your FB page, blog sidebar, tweet about the contest and/or book, email your friends and spread the word…basically, any way you talk up the book or contest will enter you for one of three $25 gift cards to the online bookstore of your choice. Winners will be selected after I return from RWA Nationals, the first week in August. Once you’ve done that, email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com and tell me blabbed about ENTWINED. Be sure to put ENTWINED Release Contest in the subject line. (If you already posted the widget from the blog post I did last week, you’re already entered.) Enter as many times as you like. Every time you spread the word about book 2 in the Eternal Guardians series, send me an email.
PART TWO: Each day for the next two weeks I’ll be giving away AWESOME prizes and spotlighting some fabulous authors. Comment on the daily post to be entered into that day’s drawing. Winners will be chosen randomly from comments and will get to pick their prize. Once a prize is chosen, it’s crossed off the list. Here are the prizes you can win:
Got Demon? Mug from author Saranna DeWylde Beneath the Surface by MJ Fredrick Primordial by Denise Agnew His Darkest Embrace e-arc by Juliana Stone- won by Diana (day 5 winner) Unbridled by Beth Williamson Huddle With Me Tonight by Farrah Rochon Relentless by Lauren Dane – won by Minnchica (day 7 winner) Revelation (ecopy) by Lauren Dane – won by Pam K (day 8 winner) Sunrise in A Garden of Love & Evil by Barbara Monajem – won by Barbara E (day 3 winner) All He Desires by Anthea Lawson The Phoenix Charm by Helen Scott Taylor Animal Instinct (ecopy) by Michelle Pillow
$10 Starbucks Card from Phyllis Bourne Montana Dawn by Caroline Fyffe Dangerous As Sin & $10 Borders Gift Card from Alix Rickloff – won by Robin L (day 2 winner) Ancient Whispers by Marie-Claude Bourque Forged of Shadows by Jessa Slade – won by Cyberclipper (day 5 winner) Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison – won by Giada (day 3 winner) Lord of Pleasure & $10 Starbucks Gift Card from Delilah Marvelle – won by Jody F (day 7 winner) $20 Borders Gift Card from Joan Swan – won by Limecello (day 1 winner) Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden won by Nikki (day 6 winner) Forbidden Highlander by Donna Grant – won by Julie (day 4 winner)
Today is another tw0-fer! Two authors, two books, two winners today!
First up is Marie-Claude Bourque!
Marie-Claude’s latest book is ANCIENT WHISPERS:
ok. Gabriel is the youngest member of the Priory of Callan—an ancient Celtic brotherhood of cursed sorcerers and alchemists, each with deadly abilities and each haunted by a tragic past. Tortured by the devastating loss of his fiancée in 1755, Gabriel wants nothing more than to reunite with his soul mate.
Two and a half centuries later, Gabriel is still searching for his love. And then he finds Lily Bellefontaine. Cool-headed and practical, she has no memory of Gabriel. But she also can’t deny the pull of attraction drawing her under his seductive spell, urging her to give in to the…
Fallon MacLeod has gifts any warrior would covet – fierce strength, unmatched skill, even immortality. But those gifts come at a price that puts everyone he loves at risk. Only when his brother, Quinn, is taken captive does Fallon leave the seclusion of his Highland home to seek the king’s aid. And though every women at court would gladly be his for the asking, one alone causes desire to roar to life within him: beautiful, mysterious Larena Monroe.
A WILD DESIRE…
Rumors swirl around the castle about “The McLeod” but Larena knows the truth. Like Fallon, Larena is searching for a way to vanquish the evil Druid who wants to wreak havoc on earth. Drawn to Fallon in spite of her fear, she surrenders to a passion that shocks them both with its raw intensity. But Larena dares not hope for more – not when she holds a secret that could turn her fiery Highland love against her forever…
(I’m going to be reposting the contest rules at the beginning of each post. If you’ve already read them, scroll down for today’s post and questions. And don’t forget to scroll down for the Golden Heart Spotlight as well!)
To celebrate the release of ENTWINED, I’m giving away a BUNCH of prizes. There are two parts to this contest:
PART ONE : Post the ENTWINED widget (below) on your FB page, blog sidebar, tweet about the contest and/or book, email your friends and spread the word…basically, any way you talk up the book or contest will enter you for one of three $25 gift cards to the online bookstore of your choice. Winners will be selected after I return from RWA Nationals, the first week in August. Once you’ve done that, email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com and tell me blabbed about ENTWINED. Be sure to put ENTWINED Release Contest in the subject line. (If you already posted the widget from the blog post I did last week, you’re already entered.) Enter as many times as you like. Every time you spread the word about book 2 in the Eternal Guardians series, send me an email.
PART TWO: Each day for the next two weeks I’ll be giving away AWESOME prizes and spotlighting some fabulous authors. Comment on the daily post to be entered into that day’s drawing. Winners will be chosen randomly from comments and will get to pick their prize. Once a prize is chosen, it’s crossed off the list. Here are the prizes you can win:
Got Demon? Mug from author Saranna DeWylde Beneath the Surface by MJ Fredrick Primordial by Denise Agnew His Darkest Embrace e-arc by Juliana Stone- won by Diana (day 5 winner) Unbridled by Beth Williamson Huddle With Me Tonight by Farrah Rochon Relentless by Lauren Dane – won by Minnchica (day 7 winner) Revelation (ecopy) by Lauren Dane – won by Pam K (day 8 winner) Sunrise in A Garden of Love & Evil by Barbara Monajem – won by Barbara E (day 3 winner) All He Desires by Anthea Lawson The Phoenix Charm by Helen Scott Taylor Animal Instinct (ecopy) by Michelle Pillow
$10 Starbucks Card from Phyllis Bourne Montana Dawn by Caroline Fyffe Dangerous As Sin & $10 Borders Gift Card from Alix Rickloff – won by Robin L (day 2 winner) Ancient Whispers by Marie-Claude Bourque Forged of Shadows by Jessa Slade – won by Cyberclipper (day 5 winner) Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison – won by Giada (day 3 winner) Lord of Pleasure & $10 Starbucks Gift Card from Delilah Marvelle – won by Jody F (day 7 winner) $20 Borders Gift Card from Joan Swan – won by Limecello (day 1 winner) Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden won by Nikki (day 6 winner) Forbidden Highlander by Donna Grant – won by Julie (day 4 winner)
Today we have…
Author Caroline Fyffe!
Hi, all! I’m excited to be here participating in Elisabeth’s Entwined Release Contest. It’s been fantastic so far! Today I’d like to share with you my western historical that releases on July 27th, a few, short, exciting days away!
MONTANA DAWN, a Golden Heart Finalist in 2007, takes place in the little town of Y Knot, Montana in the late 1800s. The McCutcheons, a cattle ranching family, have carved a dynasty from the wilderness by the sweat of their brow and honorable values. Luke McCutcheon, the third brother and the hero of this story, is the only one who was sired by an American Indian, when his mother was taken captive. He’s the trail boss for the once-a-year cattle drive the McCutcheons make. When he comes upon Faith Brown giving birth in her wagon, he’s shocked to learn her little son is Faith’s only help. He agrees to stay and deliver her child. That’s when all the fun begins….
I love stories about big families. I wanted to give Luke as much unconditional love as he needed to battle his own ghosts about his heritage. John McCutcheon, the youngest brother, is introduced in MONTANA DAWN, but you don’t actually meet him until my next book, ONCE UPON A TEXAS TWILIGHT, planned for next year.
If you’d like to participate in my own launch drawing it’s easy. Just go to my website www.carolinefyffe.com and sign up for my News Letter on my Contact Page. That will enter you in my grand prize drawing for a basket filled with candies, chocolates, muffin mix, a handsome coffee mug (filled with more chocolate!) and a jar of scrumptious jam, all made from the Big Sky State’s coveted Huckleberry. Also included is an autographed copy of both MONTANA DAWN and WHERE THE WIND BLOWS. It’s as easy as pie. Winner will be drawn just in time for Christmas on December 10th, 2010.
Now, tell me; have you ever vacationed in an old historical town? A ghost town or place? What about a dude ranch or cattle drive?
Cat Shield ventured into the world of writing romance fiction while still in high school. It has been her passion ever since. Thirteen years ago she put her dream of getting published on hold in favor of motherhood. She spent a couple years working two jobs, saved money, and adopted a little girl from China. Cat’s other passion is sailing. Five years ago she embarked on a sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands with friends. The trip inspired an article that appeared in International Yacht Charters & Vacations magazine. Getting published in a national magazine revived her desire to see her books in print. Four years later, she has won numerous writing contests, received a bunch of requests from editors, and achieved one dream: a final in the Golden Heart. To learn more about Cat, visit her website at http://www.catschield.com/
Cat’s Golden Heart manuscript is FAKE FIANCEE, REAL LOVE – a finalist in the Series Contemporary category:
Pursued by his brother’s fiancée, Simon Holcroft, needs a pretend fiancée to accompany him home for Christmas. When circumstances place his maid, Caroline Sampson, in the right place at the right time, he persuades the law student to help him out.
Without any family to call her own since her mother’s death ten years before, Caroline longs to spend Christmas with Simon’s family, but she believes in total honesty when it comes to those you love. Her discomfort with their deception puts them at odds, even as every sizzling kiss makes her forget that she and Simon aren’t getting married.
Acting as if they’re in love feels less like pretending with each hour that passes, but Simon isn’t only keeping secrets from his family, he’s keeping one from Caroline. If the truth comes out, he risks losing her and any shot at future happiness.
And now a little more about Cat…
1) How long have you been writing? I’ve been writing since I was eleven. Writing for publication since my late teens.
2) Did you always want to be an author or is this something you fell into later in life? It’s what I always wanted to do.
3) What do you do in your “other” life? (Day job, family, etc.) In my “other” life, I have a wonderful eleven-year-old daughter. She is my ray of sunshine during those dark days of writer’s block and rejections. For my day job, I work in finance.
4) Who are your favorite authors? This list could go on and on. I read a lot of genres besides romance. Mystery: S.J. Rozan, Nevada Barr, Robert Crais. Fantasy: Lois McMasters Bujold, Lynn Flewelling, Katherine Kerr. Since my daughter has started reading, I’ve branched out into YA. Favs include Tamora Pierce and Garth Nix. Romance: Susan Mallery, Elizabeth Boyle, Stephanie Laurens.
5) Do you have an agent? Yes. Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. She’s awesome.
6) Where do you see yourself in five years? Happily writing and getting paid for it. I’d love to be able to support myself with writing full time. It’s been my dream forever.
And now, in Cat’s own words…
The Internal Editor
I’m supposed to end this blog post with a question. Instead, I’m going to start with one. Do you have a healthy relationship with your internal editor?
By that, I mean, are you able to turn that voice in your head on and off at will, or does it drown out the melodious murmur of your muse until you approach a blank page filled with dread rather than delight?
When I first started writing for publication in late 2006, I was very productive. I’d been away from the business side of writing long enough to forget how frustrating trying to get published can be. I wrote two books in four months, entered them in a ton of contests, and knew if I worked hard, I’d be published. Meanwhile, I polished those books and started a third that I finished in record time. It was a blissfully creative, highly productive time for me. Then reality hit.
Contest judges tore apart my writing. The line I was targeting underwent a radical change, and my stories no longer matched their guidelines. I lost my direction and my focus. I began to wonder if I’d been kidding myself to think I could ever get published.
I knew I could write, a string of contest finals and a couple of wins got me requests from editors, but I’d lost confidence that all my hard work could land me on the bookshelves. See, I wasn’t quite hitting the mark. This is when I started a series of first chapters. Some I tossed into contests, hoping to figure out what the editors were looking for. Others never got past 2500 words. I wasn’t writing a story I loved. I was listening to that voice inside my head that was telling me I’d never get published unless I wrote historical or paranormal or anything other than what I wanted to write.
And suddenly. I couldn’t write at all.
Frustrated and desperate, I signed up for National November Write Month or NaNoWriMo. Write a book of 50,000 words in a month. Word count is all that matters. You must write an average of 1666 words per day for 30 days. You have permission to write crap. All the pressure is off. And guess what? Your internal editor gets locked in a closet by your muse. Whoohoo!
Since November, using this fast writing technique, I’ve produced three short contemporary novels and a 90,000 word single title. Are the books any good? I have no idea, I haven’t read them. In my mind they’re lumps of raw clay waiting to be shaped. To quote Nora Roberts, “You can’t fix a blank page.”
The other tool to silence my internal editor is meditation. I start out every morning listening to a fifteen minute guided meditation that Stacia D. Kelly did in her Breath. Focus. Achieve. workshop at the 2009 Nationals. Starting out each day with my thoughts focused on what I can control (my writing) has helped when those negative critiques and rejections hit.
Now, when that little voice inside my head whines at me that I’m never going to get published because my stories suck or I’m not writing what an editor wants to buy, I hit the mute button and write 200 words.
Are you plagued by an internal editor? What do you do to turn down the volume?
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So…long story short…I’m feeling human again and hope to make some winners happy today!
