Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway!

Yes, I know. This is WAY, WAY, WAY overdue.

I mean, I've been talking about doing a reviewer appreciation giveaway since April. But if you've been reading this blog over the last few months, well, you know that things got a bit crazy around here, and, well. My prizes kinda-sorta disappeared into a moving box for a little while.

But fear not. They have been found! And the giveaway is here and officially starts TODAY!!!

Take a look at these fab prizes:

In honor of Water So Deep, this fabulous Bella Del Mar Mother of Pearl jewelry set is beaded with tiny white pearls, and accented with clear crystal quartz. This set comes in a beautiful display box and includes a gorgeous necklace, bracelet, and earrings, and is a $95 value. (The crystals look slightly blue in this picture, but they are really mostly clear.)

Also in honor of Water So Deep, this stylish and trendy Refuse to Sink bracelet, still attached to the manufacturer packaging.

In honor of Descendant and Birthright, this lovely crystal quartz healing crystal necklace was custom made by Zuniga's Custom Jewelry. (She makes some of my very favorite original pieces.) Also in packaging.

To enter, all you have to do is leave a review of one of my books on your favorite review site (there are tons of choices) and then come back here and leave the link in the Rafflecopter link box. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY LEFT A REVIEW, it's okay. This contest is MEANT for YOU! Go ahead and leave me the link to your already posted review and you do not need to do anything more.

You will see that there are lots of places where reviews can be left for each of my books. In case you're wondering, YES, it is totally okay to copy and paste one review to ALL THE PLACES if you so choose. As long as you remember to collect the link and enter it into the Rafflecopter box, it totally counts.

This contest closes on June 30, so be sure to enter before then.

*Winners will be notified by email ir FB private message (depending on the information included through Rafflecopter) and will have 72 hours to respond with a U.S. mailing address. If you are out of the United States, you are still eligible to win the bracelet or healing crystal, but not the larger set. Prizes may be adjusted as necessary for this purpose. 

**United States prizewinners may be given the option to trade their jewelry prize for a paperback or ebook copy of any of my books. International prizewinners wishing to exchange their prize will be given the option for an ebook.

Also, while you're entering contests, don't forget to scroll to the post below this one and follow the link to the other fabulous contest for the Magic of Solstice Fantasy Writers' tour I'm participating in this month.

Good luck to all of you, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for your fabulous support. I couldn't do what I do without all of you.



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Moving, Vacation, Signings, and Prizes for a Giveaway

Just popping in to let you all that I returned from vacation alive, rested, and happy. However, it is now officially moving week for my family.

The Caribbean Sea as seen from my own eyes.

Why yes, yes we did just move. In August. BUT that was from Texas to Utah, and I'll spare you the longer explanation by saying that we found and bought a house (we are not fans of renting), and we are now moving into that house to make this the last move EVER. Or, you know, until I'm a little old lady who can no longer get up and down stairs or whatever.

I am very excited about the house and the office in which I plan to finish a plethora of projects that are chilling on my computer waiting to be completed.

While I was gone, Water So Deep surpassed a milestone review goal, and because of that, I think a giveaway will be necessary. I picked up a beautiful jewelry set in the Caribbean, except, um, well... my husband sort of packed it away in a box yesterday, and we have about half of what we own at our new house, and half at the old house. So it might be a couple of days before I find it. So please be patient. I haven't forgotten the giveaway, just postponed it until I can actually find the prize!

But here's a hint. The more of my books you've reviewed (and the more places you've reviewed them) the more opportunities you'll have to win.

What else? The LDStorymakers writer's conference is coming up in May, and I am working hard to help that come together. Really excited to see all my writing friends. And also there will be a massive signing that includes a whole lot of fabulous authors--including yours truly. This will be my first signing since the release of Water So Deep, so if you want a chance to get a signed hard copy of it, plan to attend that on May 16 at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Utah. (No ticket required.) Time to be determined, but I'll let you know.

Okay, now that I've caught you all up on what I'm doing, what fun things are you doing this spring?

The BIG PROMOTION I promised! Free Stuff and Giveaways, OH MY!

As promised, this is the week when I give away a crap ton of stuff. In case you haven't heard, the Kindle version of DESCENDANT will be FREE from June 2-6th, 2014. This is an extremely rare occurrence, because, um, I don't do free often. Or ever. So it's a great opportunity for a fabulous deal. PLEASE download it if you can.

I'd love your help spreading the word, because every download helps me gain ranking momentum, which turns into future advertising. So it's kinda sorta a big deal. Yeah. As a celebration/thank you for helping me celebrate this week, I'm doing a giveaway for three print copies of BIRTHRIGHT on Goodreads, and free e-book copies of BIRTHRIGHT to five lucky winners. You can enter to win those below.

ALSO, don't forget I'm running a Review Blast this week. Leave an honest review of BIRTHRIGHT (I don't care how short!) and enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Guys. Seriously, I think I might die this week. Please help me out, okay?

THANKS!

XOXOXO  

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Something About Courage and Tons of Giveaways

Last weekend, while in downtown Corpus Christi, we came across this little beauty.

It’s a real ship, yo. Actually, it’s an exact replica of Christopher Columbus’s ship, the Nina. (The Pinta and the Santa Maria are in dry dock at a nearby museum.) Check out how freakishly small this baby is. Or was.

The sad thing is I don’t remember how many people actually crewed this ship, but seriously, I don’t know where the people actually fit. So I stood there, staring at it, and wondering how the heck they sailed halfway across the world in it, and thinking about courage. These guys. They had no radios. No GPS or electronic anything to tell them they were sailing in the right direction. They didn’t even have engines. Their entire journey was dependent on wind.

And they sailed from Spain to America in this TINY, TINY ship.

I’m sorry, but those guys—serious, HUGE courage. HUGE.

I talk about doing hard things sometimes. About how tough the publishing industry has become, and how taking chances (in all aspects of life) is tricky and hard and freakishly scary. But guys, this tiny ship really gave me some perspective. I will never have to pack up my whole life and family and travel into the scariest unknown on a rickety little ship with no radio to call for help if we happen upon a kraken or something.

Kinda made the scary things in my life feel a little less scary.

What about you? What scary thing have you put in perspective recently? And how did you find courage?

Oh, and BTW, next week, WAY fun promotions happening:

Starting Monday, DESCENDANT will be on a very special promotion. From June 2-6, you can download it on Amazon for FREE. That’s right, free. (I am not an author who believes in giving away my art for free, so this is something that is unlikely to happen again soon—if ever.)

Also, I’m giving away three print copies of BIRTHRIGHT on Goodreads, and three digital copies here on the blog (check back here Monday for the Rafflecopter form). No purchase necessary, but I’d love a little help spreading the word, if you will.

At the same time, I’m running a Review Blast for BIRTHRIGHT, because that poor baby book needs a little love. So if you’ve read it (or if you read fast) be sure to leave a review, and then go here to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

So yeah. Next week, be prepared. I will be all over the internet promoting. I hope you’ll forgive me. I promise, by the 7 or 8^th, I’ll be done for a bit. 

BIRTHRIGHT REVIEW BLAST GIVEAWAY!

Guys. I'm having so much fun putting together some fun summer promotions. But I need your help. BIRTHRIGHT needs reviews to help gain momentum in the market. So, as a little incentive / reminder, I'm going to giveaway a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky reviewer.

Everyone who has read BIRTHRIGHT is eligible. To enter, all you have to do is post a fair and honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or your blog, then come back here and leave the review link on this quick and easy entry form.

Contest is open until midnight (central time) June 8th, 2014. Winner will be notified via email, and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen. THAT'S IT!

Good luck and THANK YOU!

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Cover Reveal: Diamond Rings are Deadly Things by Rachelle J. Christensen (and a giveaway!)

About DIAMOND RINGS ARE DEADLY THINGS: 

Adrielle Pyper knows how to plan a wedding, and she is especially good at pleasing bridezillas. But when her biggest client and best friend is murdered just three days before the wedding, Adri’s world falls apart. She moves to the resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho, and starts from scratch. Thanks to Adri’s impeccable taste and unique style, she lands two celebrity clients, and her business seems headed for success--that is, until someone vandalizes the specialty wedding dresses she imported from overseas. The race is on to uncover a secret hidden within the yards of satin and lace before Adri becomes the next victim. With a delightful blend of mystery, toe-curling kisses, humor, and spine-tingling thrills, Diamond Rings are Deadly Things is a romantic suspense novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night.

Find this book on Goodreads

Pre-order on Amazon

Pre-order on Barnes and Noble

Endorsements:

“I love Rachelle J. Christensen’s stories and characters, and Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things is another thrilling mystery to add to my collection. Don’t be surprised if you have to stay up all night to finish he book!”

--Rachel Ann Nunes, author of Before I Say Goodbye

Diamond Rings are Deadly Things pulled me right in from the first page and held me captive until the very end. Great characters, a compelling plot, a surprising twist at the end ... Rachelle Christensen knows how to craft a great mystery.

 - Tristi Pinkston, author of the Secret Sisters Mysteries

A cunningly crafty mystery with just the right mix of romance. Readers won't be able to get enough of Adrielle Pyper, stunning party-planner turned heroine.

--Nichole Giles, author of Descendant

About Rachelle J. Christensen: 

Rachelle J. Christensen is a stay-at-home mom of four cute kids. She has an amazing husband, three cats, and five chickens. Rachelle was born and raised in the small farming town of Rupert, Idaho which is adjacent to the setting in her latest mystery Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things due out this July. Her new website www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.compartners with the characters from the novel to bring readers an interactive look into the mystery of crafting and wedding planning.

Rachelle graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology and a music minor. She enjoys singing and songwriting, playing the piano, running, motivational speaking, and of course reading.

Rachelle’s first novel, Wrong Number was awarded Outstanding Book of the Year from the League of Utah Writers and was also a 2010 Whitney Finalist. She is also the author of Caller ID, a nonfiction book Lost Children: Coping with Miscarriage for Latter Day Saints, and a novella with a Timeless Romance Anthology, Fall Collection.

Visit www.rachellechristensen.com to learn more about upcoming books.

Social Media Links:

Facebook Author Page
Twitter
Rachelle's Blog
Author Website

Goodreads Author Page
Craft Website based on the series

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A Chat with Michelle Davidson Argyle about her new release CATCH (and a contest)

Hey all! Happy November!

Yes, as a matter of fact, I AM hard at work writing my newest project for National Novel Writing Month. But I had to take a short break to give a shout out to Michelle Davidson Argyle, whose new release CATCH was released this week. I'm a big fan of Michelle's, and not just because we were both Rhemalda authors. I *heart* her work.

This week I got to ask her a few short questions about her newest release, and I always love what she has to say.

1. What were you doing when you had the idea for the main story line in Catch?

Because I have a terrible memory, I honestly can't remember what I was doing. But I do remember trying to come up with the idea over the course of a week. It usually takes a while to fully form all of it. Too bad I can't say I was in Vegas, right? I think I was probably in the car or the shower -- where I get most of my ideas.

2. Have you ever had your purse stolen the way Miranda did? If so, explain a little, and if not, how would you feel if you did?

Nope! I thought my car was stolen once, but it turned out a family member had just taken it without telling me. And I've had a bike stolen once, but never money or credit cards or a purse. I would freak out and probably wouldn't be nearly as level-headed as Miranda. Oh, wait ... she chases after the thief. Maybe I would be smarter than that!

3. What is your favorite part of the setting of this book? 

I've only been to Las Vegas a few times, so I had to do a lot of research for Catch. I think my favorite part of the setting was being able to explore the Strip and going into the Bellagio. One of my favorite movies is Ocean's Eleven,so this made it come a little more a alive for me.

4. If Catch had a theme song, what would it be?

I think a great song that captures the feel of Catch is "I Won't Give Up on Us" by Jason Mraz. It might seem a little slow for Catch, but I really think it fits both characters.

5. You are very good at writing flawed, but redeemable characters, especially antagonists. Do you feel that finding redeeming qualities in others is an important lesson in life? 

Oh, absolutely. I think I'm a really judgmental person (hard to admit) and it has been an important thing in my life to fix that flaw about myself and find something great in everyone. This has naturally moved over into my writing. It's so important to me to make my characters as real as possible, and in reality, everyone is flawed. Nobody's perfect. So I love to explore characters and find their faults, but also find their motivations and look at them objectively so I can understand why they are the way they are. Then I love to show that to the reader and let them make a call on how they feel about a person's flaws. It's quite fun!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

When eighteen-year-old Miranda chases a purse snatcher on the Las Vegas Strip, the last thing she expects is for the pursuit to turn into an extended game of hide-and-seek. All Miranda wants are the old black and white photographs buried at the bottom of her purse. They’re the only things she has left of the grandmother she never knew. But how much is she willing to put on the line to save them? And is it possible she’s falling in love with a thief?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michelle D. Argyle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She adores cheese, chocolate, sushi, and lots of ethnic food, and loves to read and write books in the time she grabs between her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter. She believes a simple life is the best life. Michelle writes contemporary Young Adult and New Adult fiction (and other genres when she feels like it). 

michelledargyle.com | twitter.com/LadyGlamis | facebook.com/michelle.ladyglamis

Visit the CATCH tour page! TOUR PAGE. 

Release date: September 20th 2013
Publisher: MDA Books
Purchase: Amazon

Find CATCH on Goodreads

And now for the contest! Michelle is giving away both paperback and ecopies of CATCH during the tour, and the deadline is this coming SUNDAY, November 3. Don't miss out on your chance to enter and win! 

. 

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Thanks for stopping by! And now, back to writing.

Happy Birthday to Me (and Some Celebrating)

They say it's my birthday. Da-na-na-na-na. It's your birthday too...

Wait. Maybe not. But we can pretend, right? I'm pretty good at sharing, usually. Why not? You can take that extra year and I'll keep the party. Sound good? Deal then.

Anyway, I had a post all ready for today, and then I realized that, ahem, today is a day I should be celebrating. Because I feel like it. And because most years I try to skip right over this day and not make a big deal about it and blah blah. But not this year. This year I'm already giving away prizes and gifts and doing fun things to celebrate (it's not too late to enter!) so I figure I might as well go all the way.

Virtual cookies all around! Party hats and all that jazz.
 No gifts required.

However, if you absolutely insist ... if you must offer a gift, read my book and then leave a review. Help spread the word on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Shelfari, and Book Depository.

In the current market, reviews are one of the most effective helps you can offer to a new author. Two sentences is all we need, and those same sentences can be copied and pasted in each different venue. And what I want most for the coming year is to grow and expand my career. So yeah. Two sentences, five minutes. That's all. And if you do it by the end of today, July 9th, 2013, YOU get presents. 

*clinks glass with a butter knife*

 Regardless of the previous paragraph in which I contradict myself by saying no gifts, and then telling you what you can give me, I want to make a virtual Dr. Pepper toast.

Thank you! Thanks for reading and for continuing to come back here and see what I have to say and for giving me a reason to keep writing and keep blogging and just altogether keep on going down this path. I *heart* you all to the moon and back, and I can't wait to see what this next year brings!

DESCENDANT Birthday Bash Blitz!

Descendant Birthday Bash BLITZ

I have a birthday coming up. Usually, I’m not one of those people who tries to make a big deal about my birthday, because that would mean admitting I’m getting older. And I’m not. Not really. Just wiser.

DESCENDANT was released in May, and I didn’t do a huge online launch event, because May was just over-the-top crazy with us moving and stuff. June brought another set of challenges, and blah blah because that’s what life is, right? So I’ve decided that for my birthday, I want to do something super fun for my readers. Something to really celebrate the release of the novel that I thought might never be published. I want to give away prizes. LOTS of prizes. And gifts.

Just to remind you (not that you need it) here is the blurb for DESCENDANT:

Seventeen-year-old Abigail Johnson is Gifted. Blessed—or cursed—with Sight and Healing, Abby lives an unsettled life, moving from place to place and staying one step ahead of the darkness that hunts her. When she arrives in Jackson, Wyoming, she is desperate to maintain the illusion of normalcy, but she is plagued with visions of past lives mixed with frightening glimpses of her future. Then she meets Kye, a mysterious boy who seems so achingly familiar that Abby is drawn to him like he’s a missing piece of her own soul. Before Abby can discover the reason for her feelings toward Kye, the darkness catches up to her and she is forced to flee again. But this time she’s not just running. She is fighting back with Kye at her side, and it’s not just Abby’s life at stake.

And here is what we're going to do!

Purchase your copy today

         

Everyone that purchases a copy of DESCENDANT on July 1 or July 2 will receive a special prize pack of eBooks. 

1. SON OF LIBERTY by Daron Fraley

2. MR. NICE SPY by Jordan McCollum

3. THE SAPPHIRE FLUTE by Karen Hoover

4. YOUR CHOICE of any Rhemalda title

To qualify just email receipt of purchase dated 7/1 or 7/2.

But that's not all! There's more. Lots more. We're also giving away prizes (some of them prize packs) to 9 lucky event participants. You have until July 9th to do any / all of the following and enter this Rafflecopter. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh, and one other thing. Party favors!

Everyone who buys/gifts or reviews DESCENDANT during this event (on any of the event days) will receive a free digital download of DESCENDANT bonus material, which is two rather important deleted scenes that are not available for purchase anywhere.

Purchase your copy (or a gift copy) of DESCENDANT. To claim your free downloads, please email your proof of purchase dated July 1 or 2, 2013 to WriteNichole(at)gmail(dot)com . (Your email will ONLY be shared with the participating authors, who will then send you instructions on how to claim your free books.)

TodayTodayToday TODAY!

It’s officially official. My book comes out today!

The sun will come out, tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow…I mean today, today TODAY…there’ll be sun…

Yeah, I’m singing. And now maybe you are too. I’d apologize, but…NAH! If you have a song stuck in your head, maybe you’ll remember who put it there in the first place, and maybe then you’ll remember why.

That person is obviously me. And the reason? MY BOOK IS OFFICIALLY BORN! Release day is here, and this is reason to celebrate. To throw confetti and dance around and eat nummy treats and all that. And that is what I will be doing today.

Also, packing like crazy. Because tomorrow I leave for Utah. So while I’m not doing a huge “MY BOOK IS OUT LET’S CELEBRATE” online party YET, I am still planning an online celebration in conjunction with the blog tour. There are prizes involved. And teasers. And playlists. And other fun things you won’t want to miss. This awesome celebration starts May 6^th and goes through the 31^st, so there will be lots of chances to win, and lots of things to see.

But also, also, ALSO…there’s this:

As soon as DESCENDANT reaches 50 reviews on AMAZON, I will post a deleted scene that is not in the book or on any website anywhere. At 75 reviews, I’ll post another one, and at 100 reviews, one more. If by some amazing chance, we pass 100 reviews and make it to 150, um, I might be forced to give away some really, really special stuff. Like doodled galleys, and swag, and maybe something else. Something big. Maybe I could spring for a Kindle? Maybe. 

(Also, I’d love to make that many reviews on Barnes and Noble and Goodreads, and if we reach 50, 75, and 100 there as well, I will be forced--FORCED, I say--to offer other fun prizes. Tip: your one review can be pasted into all three sites.)

Now, just to clarify, these aren’t just random scenes. They’re ones that are relevant to the story, original scenes that were ultimately cut from the book for various reasons, but that matter. I want to share them with readers, and I am not a patient person, so I’m going to make that offer now. The catch? All this has to happen by May 30th. *gulps* Yep, a time limit. Can we do it? I believe it can be done. 

So go forth and purchase, and be sure to REVIEW! (But please read the book first! One star reviews from people who haven’t read books are just plain mean.)  You can buy it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. (And psst! It's on sale!)   

Huge hugs! Thanks for celebrating with me today.

Operation Bookmark Share! (Otherwise known as the first ever DESCENDANT contest.)

Okay people, I promised you a contest, and here we go!

A couple weeks ago, a box showed up at my door. Not a large box, mind, but a box with very awesome things inside.

Yes, that's right. My very first order of Descendant bookmarks.

*squee*

What do you think? Pretty, yes?

They are the first of a few fun swag products I've ordered, and unfortunately, the only fun things to have arrived so far. But it's cool, because they lead in to my first contest.

In the interest in spreading the word about my book, I'm asking interested people to send me your name and mailing address (which I promise I will never use for anything other than the purposes of this contest) and your idea of a great location for where you are WILLING and able to drop a stack of Descendant bookmarks. It can be a library, a bookstore (with permission), a school where you work or teach--anywhere where you know there are people who read young adult literature.Heck, if you want to hand them out at a family reunion, or give them away on your blog--I'm cool with that. Be creative, but also be honest. Please don't accept this challenge and then throw the bookmarks away. I did have to buy them, after all.

The best part of this contest? Everyone wins. Yes, you read that right. EVERY single person who fills out the form below will receive (along with the giveaway stack) a numbered, signed bookmark from me. Also, once I mail said bookmarks, I will enter all your names into a random generator. One lucky winner will be the first to receive a free ebook copy of Descendant (when I have it to send). I'll leave this open from now until Friday, March 29th so that I'll have the weekend to package the stacks and hopefully send them on Monday, April 1st.

Sound good? Cool. Thanks for your help!

Don't forget to fill out THIS FORM so I can send YOU a stack of bookmarks.

Much Partying in Blog land: a Giveaway Celebration

If you’ve been around in the last week, you’ve already heard my epic news. Yes, I know there are lots of questions. Someday I may do a conference presentation and tell the whole story, but not today. Today, we celebrate! (Which means I'm blogging Monday instead of Wednesday.)

 If you don’t know why we’re celebrating, you should visit this post.

See these?

And these?

These are books I’m giving away. Two lots of three, (the books in the YA lot are all signed—yes, even Leviathan) and to one lucky winner, a signed poster from the Fierce Reads tour.

To win, you only have to do one thing: enter. But in order to enter, you should be a follower, and / or sign up for my newsletter (see the sidebar). That’s it. Once you’ve done one (or both) of those things, fill out the form below and be entered to win.

However, if you want to share the love by spreading the word on your blog, or Facebook, Twitter, LinkdIn, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram—wherever, I’ll give you an extra entry for each. Because I’m nice like that. On your honor. (Just know that if you say you did something, and really didn’t, Karma will come down on your head, and believe me, you don’t want that. She’s not nice when she’s angry. I’m just sayin.) (Also, feel free to tag me on FB, @ me on Twitter, or whatever whatever—I’ll come say hi.)

I’ll use the random generator to choose the winners, and try to get them posted next week, Monday-ish. This contest will run from today, September 24th until Saturday September 29th at Midnight, Mountain Time. If you live outside the US, please only enter if you have a United States shipping addresses. I wish I could say I was a rich author, but…ya know. That is not my reality yet. (But there’s always someday.)

 Big hugs from me for all your support and friendship, and good luck with this contest!

Guest Post: Elana Johnson and The Making of a Character (also MORE giveaways!)

Ahhh! Still excited. Last night's launch party was amazing and exciting and I can't wait to tell you all about it. But today I have a special guest. Author Elana Johnson is here to talk about my favorite character in Surrender. Also, she's giving MORE stuff away. (And it's not too late to enter to win one of the awesome prizes from the Never Surrender giveaway.)

The Making of a Character: Gunner Jameson

A guest post by Elana Johnson

Okay, so SURRENDER is one day old today, and usually you’re still in the hospital with your new babies. But not me. I did have my launch party last night, but I’m here today to talk about one of the MC’s in the novel, Gunner Jameson.

I wanted to take a couple of tour spots to introduce readers to the characters, because SURRENDER is not a traditional sequel to POSSESSION. It’s more of a companion, where the storyworld is the same, but the narrating characters are different. (You can find out all about Raine Hightower on Shannon’s blog today. Go check it out!)

So Gunner Jameson. Let’s start with his name. It is a requirement of mine that my MC has a name that can be shortened. I adore nicknames, and I’ve been trying to use the name “Gunn” for a while now. I actually started a different book with this name, and when it died, I took the name and transplanted it into this novel.

And it worked perfectly. Gunn is reluctant recruit for the Insiders, the underground rebel group in the Association’s capital city of Freedom. He’s never known his father, and he has no siblings, so it’s just been him and his mom for as long as he can remember. He doesn’t need to move into a student flat, and while he doesn’t really agree with the controlling government, he’s more than happy to fly under the radar.

Because the alternatives have always meant separation from his mom. But when he finds a hidden microchip with Director Hightower summoning him to Rise One, Gunn gets in touch with Raine, and joins the Insiders.

Gunner has voice talent—remind you of anyone? (Did you say Jag? You should have.) His voice is the reason he’s been summoned to Rise One. He doesn’t speak much, but when he does, it’s to say something important. He’s got that whole, strong silent thing going on. He’s fiercely loyal to his family and friends, and he’ll do whatever it takes to fight for what he believes in.

I wanted Gunner to be sort of like this skater-dude, except with a hoverboard, of course. I wanted him to be cool and confident on the outside, even when he was freaking out inside. Writing Gunn was harder than I thought, mostly because he’s a guy and I’m not. I liked writing his chapters, but I wasn’t sure if he was coming off too sensitive or too emotional.

You’ll have to tell me when you read the book! You can read the first two chapters of SURRENDER for free on my Facebook page.

And it’s giveaway time! You can win one of five SPECTACULAR SECOND books this week! It’s easy peasy lemon squeezy.All you have to do is fill out this rafflecopter widget with what you’ve done, and you can win a signed copy of either INSURGENT (by Veronia Roth), A MILLION SUNS (by Beth Revis), CROSSED (by Ally Condie), PERCEPTION (by Kim Harrington), and IN HONOR (by Jessi Kirby)—all spectacular second novels by some of today’s hottest YA authors.


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Also today for one day only, you can enter to win a swag package of exclusive character art—including Gunner Jameson—and stickers and bookmarks. No rafflecopter widget necessary – just leave a comment!

Give Books for Christmas!

It’s Christmas time! And I'm participating in the Give Books for Christmas Giveaway Hop, hosted by Inksplasher.

Again, I’m not jumping on a bandwagon, but doing something that sounded fun because, well, it’s Christmas, and I feel like giving things away. Yahoo!

Every year my kids come in on Christmas morning and open at least one book. Some of them (my book lovers) receive multiples. Sometimes, mom gets all the books, and then passes them around. But regardless of whom opens the brightly wrapped box of books, rest assured, they’re there every year.

I believe the world would be such a better place if everyone gave books for Christmas. (For your convenience, here's a really amazing online holiday catalog: http://www.eclecticbookscatalog.com/. You can also learn more about books written by me by checking out my books tab.)

So I’m giving away not one, but TWO copies of Hashbrown Winters by Frank Cole. This is the first in a series, and the books are hilarious, short, and easy to read. The perfect gift for that early reader on your list.

The blurb:


There I stood, hiding next to the vending machines, disguised as a potted plant. I brushed the plastic leaves from my face and stared down the hallway toward the front double doors. Snow Cone always said one day this ridiculous costume would come in handy. Fifteen minutes had passed since the last student left for the buses, but I wasn t about to take any chances. Not with my life hanging in the balance. Leaning forward, I peered around the corner just as the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Was this it? Could this be him? Was I about to be pulverized by Hambone while wearing an emergency disguise I had just pulled from my locker? Hashbrown Winters and his treehouse club of buddies are well known around Pordunce Elementary, especially after Hashbrown s seminar last year on how to give the best show and tell performances... er, presentations. But when Hashbrown accidentally crosses Hambone Oxcart, the death dealer of Pordunce, he ll need more than just the support of his friends to survive Hambone s wrath.

Here are the details:

In order to give myself time to contact the winner, I’m going to close this contest on DECEMBER 15th at NOON. So if you enter, watch your email that day.

To enter you must be a follower (see the sidebar) and leave a comment telling me what books are on your Christmas list this year. That’s it!

The hop runs from December 1 through the 15th. All books will be shipped on December 16th. We can't guarantee books will arrive in time for Christmas, but we're going to give it a good try! **U.S. mailing addresses only, please**

At the end of this post, you'll see a long list of the participating blogs. Just click the links and go check out the contests.

Become by Ali Cross, Dark C.A.R.M.A. Spotlights, and another Giveaway!

If you read my Monday and Wednesday blogs this week, you already know I’ve been spotlighting the Dark C.A.R.M.A. books this week. I’m way exited for these amazing women and their individual decisions to go INDIE with high quality work and a strong promotional push.

Today I’m spotlighting Become by Ali Cross.

I haven’t read it yet. Well, at least, not this version. I did read an older version of this book several months ago, and I loved it then. Love Desi, love Michael. Love the concept of the story. But I haven’t yet had the chance to read the newest version, but I’m really excited to get to it (as soon as I finish my NaNo project—you know, reward for accomplishment and all that). If it’s even half as good as the version I read, it’s really, really amazing.

Wanna know what it’s about? Here’s the blurb:

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared. When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

A little bit about Ali:

I’ve always been a dreamer. When I would tell my family what new adventure I wanted to take on, they’d roll their eyes and say something like, “Oh yeah? Well let us know how that works out for you.” Meaning, of course, that no one expected my dreams to amount to much.

I wanted to be a pilot in the Canadian Air Force, a Royal Canadian Mounted Policewoman, and Prime Minister of Canada.

I wanted to be a youth minister, an opera singer, and a ballet dancer.

I wanted to be happy.

The good news is . . . not all dreams stay relegated to dreamland forever.

I was an opera singer (five years with Opera Idaho) and tried ballet for one magical summer when I was thirty years old.

And I’ve discovered new dreams that are coming true even as we speak.

And . . . I’m happy. Thanks to my family, friends and a core set of beliefs that shape my day.

It’s true, I’m a dreamer. But man, where my dreams have taken me!

And now, I'm the sansei of the writer's dojo, the author of the soon-to-be-released young adult novel BECOME, and ninja-writer extraordinaire. 

And I should also add, Ali is a beautiful, smart woman who has an amazing capacity for friendship and I am one of the lucky people who gets to consider her one of mine. *sniffs and cheers* Go Ali!

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for. THE GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate the release of all these books, I’m giving away a copy of Become by Ali Cross. (Winner may choose between hard copy or ebook.) That's right! To enter, all you have to do is follow my blog (see the sidebar) and leave a comment on this post, telling me why you’re excited to read any of the Dark C.A.R.M.A books, or why you're dying to get your hands on a copy of Become.

That’s it. You have until midnight, MST, Saturday, November 26th to enter, and I’ll announce the winner sometime the following week. Okay? Sw-eet! Also, in case you're afraid you won't win the copy I'm giving away, there are LOTS more chances to win. Check out Elana Johnson's blog or fill out this form for a chance to win one of five more books.

**Friday, November 18 is the LAST Twitter chat during which one lucky person will. Search the hashtag #BECOME to participate and enter. 

In case you can't wait (and let's face it, who can?) to see if you win, you can buy your copy of Become on Amazon. You can also read more about the works of Ali Cross on her website.

Once more, big congratulations to Ali, Christine, and RaShelle! And good luck to all the contest entrants.

Apparently, November = the Month of Giveaways

In case you didn’t see yesterday’s post, which is totally unrelated to this one, but IS, in fact, a giveaway, here’s the link. Or you can scroll down. Either way. But first, you’re going to want to read this one.

Amusing story: A bunch of people I know decided THIS must be the lucky week to hold all types of November giveaways, and I (not paying much attention to important details like dates) signed up to do a few of them. Because, well, why not? Right? (This is not me jumping on a bandwagon so much as wanting to support my friends who are hosting events—TOTALLY different situation.)

So this is how I have come to be posting TWO separate giveaway posts in two days, and also how I will post one more next week.

For today’s opportunity to win, I will be offering a copy of Pride and Popularity by Jenni James. (And if I can track her down, I may even get it autographed.)

Check out this really adorable cover:

The blurb:

Chloe Elizabeth Hart despises the conceited antics of the popular crowd, or more importantly, one very annoying self-possessed guy, Taylor Anderson, who seems determined to make her the president of his fan club! As if! Every girl in the whole city of Farmington, New Mexico, is in love with him, but he seems to be only interested in Chloe. This modern high school adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is a battle of wits as Chloe desperately tries to remain the only girl who can avoid the inevitable falling for Taylor.


It’s easy to enter. Simply become a follower (see the upper sidebar) and then leave me a comment telling me one thing for which you are thankful this month.

And since I won’t be doing a giveback giveaway for November (sorry, my budget can only handle so much this month) , I’ll give you an extra entry if you tell me one nice thing you’ve done to give back to someone else. This thing can be big or small. (For some great ideas, check out this post and this one.)

This contest will close on November 11th. US shipping, only, please.

Celebrating Breaking Dawn: Bella's Bridal / Baby Shower Giveaway

You all know I'm a fan. I admit it. Think what you want, because I love a good story with lovable characters and the Twilight series is exactly that. Breaking Dawn part 1 comes out next week! And guess what? I'm participating in a bridal/ baby shower to honor Bella, and you're invited to attend.

Here are the deets:

Today is my sponsor day, which means you have the opportunity to win these fabulous prizes: 

1. Vampire and werewolf gummies (by Black Forest)
2. A silver necklace with pink tropical hibiscus flowers in honor of the honeymoon in South America.

Items are wrapped in a pretty fabric bag and tied with a bridal-shower style ribbon.

To enter, you have to do is answer the following question:

Name three young adult genre books which have been or are being released this fall. (HINT: I made a list of some on this post.)

Email your answer, along with your name and U.S. mailing address to Bellasshower@gmail.com. That's it. Of course, if you want to help spread the word, that is always nice and we'd appreciate it most graciously. Also, you'll get extra entries.

To find out how, head over to Inksplasher. While you're there, you can also find out how to enter to win a whole bunch of other super-cool, mega-awesome prizes to help celebrate.

Good luck, and happy Monday!