Monday, November 28, 2011

Stay Tuned Excerpt

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Stay Tuned eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 2nd, so you don’t miss out.


To Win the Prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of Stay Tuned for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble (You’ll need it for the big contest on Friday)

2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes

3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!


...And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

Please vote for WORDS ON THE SHELF here:  http://www.novelpublicity.com/stay-tuned/

The Featured Events include:

Monday, Radio Interview with Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We interviewed Lauren on our radio show Sunday night and have embedded the full podcast and blogged about its highlights. Give it a listen and then leave a comment on the blog post. This is a great chance to get to know more about this fun and bubbly author. One commenter will win an autographed copy of Stay Tuned. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. The winners will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Take a break from the holiday frenzy, and read Stay Tuned. It's fast, fun, and reduced to just 99 cents! http://ow.ly/7zA1e #whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Stay Tuned book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. Two chances to win with just one click! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Stay Tuned book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs.

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Are you ready for some more fun? Take a picture of yourself with your copy of Stay Tuned either in paperback or on an eReading device, tag Lauren Clark’s Facebook page, and you can enter to win one of three Amazon gift cards! A $100 prize will go to the most creative photo, $50 to the best BFF photo, and $50 to the photo with the most people in it. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. If you need help learning how to tag a photo, you can visit Lauren’s Facebook page for detailed instructions.


Remember, it’s all about the books!

About Stay Tuned: What happens when a #1 news team becomes the top story instead of reporting it? For TV producer Melissa Moore, crisis management comes with the job. From employee disputes to her high-maintenance boss, there’s not much she hasn’t seen or can’t handle. But no one—including Melissa—expects a fistfight during the ten o’clock news. When sexy-but-crazy Alyssa Andrews lands a punch on her co-anchor’s face, Melissa jumps on set to help. She’s determined that WSGA’s reputation won’t be destroyed on her watch. Both anchors are fired and Melissa agrees to fill in—but not before polishing her look from haircut to heels. While the new Melissa wows WSGA viewers, her personal life starts fraying at the edges. Melissa’s husband is away more than he’s home, leaving cryptic Post-it notes in his wake. Her mother’s antics spiral out of control at the nursing home and a stalker decides Melissa is her next target. What happens next? Stay Tuned to find out… Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Lauren Clark has been a voracious reader since the age of four and would rather be stranded at the library than on a desert island. In her former life, she worked as an anchor and producer for CBS affiliates in Upstate New York and Alabama. Lauren adores her family, yoga, her new Electra bike, and flavored coffee. She lives near the Florida Gulf Coast. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.


Now please enjoy this sneak peek of Stay Tuned...



Chapter 1

Alyssa Andrews was missing.

Gone, vanished, MIA with just minutes to airtime.

“Melissa, where is she?” Our news director, Joe, shot a harried look in my direction. After dealing with a broken studio camera, spotty satellite reception, and last-minute script changes, his nerves were fried to a crisp.

“She’ll be here,” I promised, knowing my confidence was a front. Alyssa, one of WSGA-TV’s main news anchors, was a constant source of angst in my already-stressful job.

She was young, talented, gorgeous…and chronically late.

This lack of punctuality was a problem, especially when WSGA ran a show at exactly six and ten o’clock every night. Not a moment later.

WSGA was Macon, Georgia’s number one news station and had been for two years running. If we wanted to keep it that way, timing was everything. Every second mattered.

I produced both evening shows, which meant—among a dozen other tasks—organizing the day’s stories, writing copy, and checking video. Each segment had to run seamlessly between three-minute commercial breaks.

Deep breath, Melissa. Send up a little prayer. She’ll show up.

The red numbers on the clock continued to march forward.

Another deep breath. Everything’s in place. Alyssa just needs to walk in and get on set…

“Tighten up on camera one.” Joe peppered the room with demands. “Mic check, now, not yesterday.”

Tim Donaldson, Alyssa’s co-anchor, obliged, counting backwards from the number five.

Joe’s thick fingers punched buttons on the massive keyboard in front of him. “Bring up the live shot.”

Still, no Alyssa.

Joe raked a huge hand through his long gray hair. “Five minutes!” he growled, with a glare into his empty coffee cup.

At this point, it was Joe’s show to run. He was in charge. I shuffled my scripts. “How about I call her?”

“She’s an adult,” he grumbled. “You shouldn’t have to.”

Joe expected nothing less than perfection. He was experienced, hard working, and a stickler for detail. Alyssa’s nonchalance made him crazy.

Which, at 9:55:36 on a Friday night, gave him the patience of a gnat. On crack.

This was particularly dangerous for an unsuspecting new employee, all of twenty years old and pimple-faced, who crept up behind us.

Joe ignored him at first, barking an order to me instead. “Fine, fine. Melissa, tell Princess A. she’s needed in the studio.”

On autopilot, I punched her extension, eyes focused on the row of monitors above my head in case she decided to appear.

While the phone rang, the new kid rocked on his heels nervously. I flashed a smile and shook my head gently in his direction, hoping he’d get the hint.

Not now.

Nope. The kid stood there, coughed lightly, and waited for one of us to turn around.

“What?” Joe finally snapped.

The force of the word made the kid’s body jerk back. Jaw open, unable to speak, his face turned crimson.

Joe waited about a second for the kid to talk, and then leaned back over the control panel. He pressed at switches, clearly annoyed. The kid looked sick. Joe rolled his eyes. My anxiety level cranked up ten notches.

9:58:09. Less than two minutes.

Wait…a flash of an ivory suit and blond hair.

“There she is,” I interrupted the tension with a cool nod toward the monitors.

Front and center, Alyssa sauntered into the studio, lips puckered, blowing her shell-pink nail polish dry. She slid into her seat next to Tim, and gave him a playful pat on the shoulder.

Joe muttered something I couldn’t repeat.

I stifled a loud sigh of relief and glanced around the room. The new guy was the only one in the building unimpressed with Alyssa’s arrival. With a shaking hand, he reached out and tapped Joe’s burly shoulder.

“Mr. Joe, there’s a problem with one of the machines—”

Joe’s back stiffened. He turned a millimeter in the kid’s direction and exploded. “Get your butt back there. Get one of the engineers. Fix it. Call someone.”

I caught the now-completely mortified kid’s eye, and motioned for him to come toward me. Grabbing the nearest piece of paper, I jotted down the engineer’s extension and held it at arm’s length with a kind smile. Poor guy. Lots to learn.

With a grateful look, the new kid plucked the scrap from my fingers and darted away.

Time to get started.

I settled in, gripped my pen hard, and looked up.

Okay. Alyssa’s collar was turned under. Minor detail, but sure to garner at least five viewer complaints. You wouldn’t believe what people called in about.

I leaned toward the microphone to let Alyssa know.

“Dare you not to tell her,” Joe muttered. It wasn’t a secret that the guys would willingly let Alyssa go on air with underwear on her head. She hadn’t made friends. Or tried to.

Tim, her co-anchor and current boyfriend, didn’t count.

“Just part of those darn producer duties, Joe. You know that.” I flashed him a smile and pressed the button to talk. “Alyssa, fix your collar.”

Her mouth parted into an O. Alyssa frowned, glanced down, and straightened the pale edge. Just in time.

Like a well-directed movie, the WSGA-TV opening video flashed across monitor one. Macon, Georgia’s skyline filled the screen.

My body tingled with a familiar rush of excitement. It happened every time we went on air. The cameras and lights, the beat of the music, the thrill of live television.

Here we go.

Seconds later, Alyssa and Tim appeared under the lights, their bright anchor smiles pasted on.

“Good evening, I’m Alyssa Andrews.

“And I’m Tim Donaldson.”

And on it went, without a blip, for the first ten minutes. I started breathing again after the third break.

Stanley and Sunshine, the weather cat, were ready for the five-day forecast, check.

Commercial break, check.

Sports, check. I didn’t worry about that three-minute slot. Plenty to talk about, visual stories; the anchors could get away with jokes and ad-libbing. Viewers loved it.

We rounded out the show with an inspirational kicker about a local scholarship winner, a kid first in his family to go to college. He’d won forty thousand dollars and was going to Georgia Tech to study astrophysics.

The show wrapped with a standard goodnight, credits, and a wide shot of the WSGA set.

The second the master control operator switched to break, Alyssa flounced off the set in silicone fashion. She barked into her jewel-encrusted cell phone about her min-pin puppy’s cancelled spa appointment and stomped out of the studio, teetering precariously in four-inch heels.

Yikes!

I climbed the flight of stairs back to the newsroom, relieved the night was almost over.

The phones started to ring five seconds later.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

SBBG5 Winners


Giveaway Winners: SBBG5

And the winners are…

The first winner will choose 13 items from the prize list + US$10 Amazon.com gift card
Entry #1045J.C. Martin
The 2nd will choose 12 items after the 1st winner has chosen + US$10 Amazon.com gift card
Entry #1004angel
The 3rd will get 11 items after the 2nd winner has chosen +US$5 Amazon.com gift card
Entry #927Velvet Hubler
And the gift card winners are…
US$15 Amazon.com
Entry #1408DAYLE BUTLER
US$10 Amazon.com  OR Barnes and Noble
Entry #694Dinky
Extra winner: US $5 Amazon.com
Entry #1480Miranda Sherman
results powered by Random.org
contest powered by Rafflecopter
The winners have 48 hours from the date the email is sent to reply and claim their prizes. If you do not contact me within two days a replacement winner will be selected. NO EXCEPTIONS.
And now it’s time to say another big thank you to our featured authors:
Want to be the first to be contacted when the sign ups start?Leave your info here and you’ll receive the information about the 5th edition: January 20 – 27.
Prize List (SBBG5):
(1)Lasting Impression, (A Belmont Mansion Novel) (softcover)
(1)Angelfall Penryn & the End of Days: Book 1 by Susan Ee (e-book, Amazon Kindle only)
(1)Angel of Brooklyn by Janette Jenkins (paper copy)
(1) Change of Heart by Jackie Chanel(ebook)
(1)Damian’s Assassin War of Gods: Book 2 by Lizzy Ford (Author) (SIGNED paperback)
(1)Damian’s Oracle War of Gods: Book 1 by Lizzy Ford (SIGNED paperback)
(1) Departures by Robin Jones Gunn (Author)(paperback)
(1) Destiny Redeemed by Gabrielle Bisset (ebook)
(1)Eternal Rider Lords of Deliverance: Book 1 by Larissa Ione (SIGNED paperback)
(1) Fate’s Second Chanceby AJ Jarrett ( PDF ebook)
(1) From the Dust by Ryshia Kennie (ebook)
(1) Grey’s Lady (Carte Blanche) by Natasha Blackthorne (ebook)
(1) Hawthorne by Sarah Ballance (PDF ebook)
(1) Heart on a Chain by Cindy C Bennett (ebook)
(1)Silver Shark Kinsmen (Ilona Andrews): Book 2 by Ilona Andrews(ebook)
(1) Stolen Destiny by Gabrielle Bisset  (ebook)
(1) serenity: Afterlife (Volume 2) by T. P. Boje  (ebook)
(1) the academy: Afterlife (Volume 1) by T. P. Boje (ebook)
(1) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (paperback)
(1) Unforgiven by Sarah Ballance (PDF ebook)
(1) Untitled by Jackie Chanel (ebook)
(1) Waltz of Seduction by Natasha Blackthorne (ebook)
(1) You’re Wonderful by Debbie Clement (signed copy of children’s picture book)
(2)Damian’s Assassin War of Gods: Book 2 by Lizzy Ford (Author) (ebook)
(2)Damian’s Oracle War of Gods: Book 1 by Lizzy Ford (ebook)
(2) Love at first sight by Vincent Zandri (ebook)
(2)The Fallen Star  Fallen Star: Book 1 by Jessica Sorensen (ebook)
(2) The Remains by Vincent Zandri (ebook)
(3) The Cat Before Christmas by Lynn Michaels (ebook)
 

Double Clutch Tour.. Author Interview with Liz Reinhardt


Double Clutch by Liz ReinHardt

What happens when you fall for the perfect guy...twice...in one day?

Brenna Blixen spent her freshman year homeschooling in Denmark; now that she's back in the States, she's determined to make her sophomore year unforgettable. And by unforgettable, she imagined awesome classes, fun friendships, and maybe a little romance.

What she got was a whole lot of romance, and all at once.

The same day that dark, brooding Saxon Maclean charmed her with his killer good looks and whip-smart wit, Jake Kelly stole her breath away with his heart-wrenching smile and intelligent, thoughtful focus.

But Saxon is a proud player who makes it clear that he doesn't know why he can't get Brenna off of his mind and out of his system, and Jake's sweet and humble attitude hides a secret past life that might be darker and more complex than Brenna is willing to deal with.

Complicating the matter is the fact that Saxon and Jake were once best friends and are now arch-enemies...and the more Brenna finds out about their connection to each other, the more intrigued and worried she becomes.

Between keeping the peace with her lovingly over-protective parents, designing t-shirts for her high school's rising punk band, keeping up her grades in classes split between academic and technical high school, and running the track like a maniac, Brenna has enough to worry about without juggling two guys who make her heart thud and drive her crazy all at once.

She has to make a choice, but how is she supposed to do that when giving her heart to one of them might mean breaking the other's?

Interview with Liz

What was the very first spark that inspired you to come up with this story, another authors book or maybe life experience; or was it a long brewing story that just had to be written?

It was a combination of extreme homesickness for Sussex County, NJ, where I was born and lived until six years ago, and total, complete love forTwilight. I fell in love with the love triangle aspect of the story, but I really thought poor Jacob Black didn't get a fair shot! I mean, I knew for sure mid-way through New Moon that he didn't have a chance. At all! And I wanted to write a love triangle story where you really loved both guys and felt frustrated right along with the heroine about which was the right one. And I set it in Sussex County to help take off the edge of my homesickness! I felt like I was back there when I was writing about it.

Were there any characters in your life at the time that influenced the characters in the book, if so how did they influence that character?

Jake and Saxon are definitely influenced by my husband and the crew he hung out with in high school. They were trouble-makers, partiers, always wreaking havoc and barely escaping trouble! But every one of them wound up finding that certain girl who helped them put their past behind them and become (mostly) responsible members of society. My husband thinks he's all one of the guys, and gets so mad if people cheer for the other guy. Which is funny, because I see so much of him in both of them ;)!

At what age did you realise you wanted to be an author or had it always been a dream?

I always liked to write, but I was pretty sure I was going to be an anthropologist when I grew up. Then I went to college and knew I'd be a professor. Then I became a teacher and knew I wanted to stay at home with my daughter. Then I pulled out some books I'd been working on and started a few new ones. Writing has been, by far, the most rewarding and interesting thing I've ever done, and I feel so lucky I got to experience being a writer during the time of ebooks and self-publishing. It's extremely exciting to be part of this process!

Is there a particular genre you haven't done before that you would love to take a shot at?

I would love to write a novel about being the age I am now (I'm 30) and all that goes along with being married, having a kid, trying to be a grownup...it's such a fun, crazy, hilarious time. I have all these funny blogs I read about other women going through the same things, and I think it would be great to write a book about it. One of my friends keeps telling me to start, so maybe I'll take her advice soon! She's pretty brilliant and usually knows what she's talking about!

If you had the chance is there any part of the book that you would go back and write differently and why?

In all honesty, sometimes I read a critique of the steamier parts in Double Clutch, and the reviewer will say that it's a bad influence on young readers, or that it's too much or too graphic, and I have this minute of regret. Obviously, when I put this book out I knew there would be people who would not enjoy that aspect. And I'd read enough YA to know it was rare to have that kind of really honest, detailed scene in there, though there are plenty of books with those types of scenes in them! In the end, I'm really glad I left them in there. It's such an honest portrayal of what first love is like physically. That exploration is part of it, and I wrote it with a deep respect for my characters and what they were feeling. The only time I'd take something like that out is if I felt like it was just filler or thrown in for shock and awe.






Thank you to Liz for answering some questions for the blog and for letting my blog participate in the Double Clutch blog tour, hope you are all enjoying the tour! 

Author Interview... Paige Hurtado


Would you like to introduce yourself? (name, location...) 
   My name Paige Hurtado and I live in the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pa in the United States. I am a recent graduate with a business degree. I work, while trying to pursue my dream in being an author. I know it's important for authors to realize that writing alone, may not be enough to support you. It's wise to look for different ventures, or even within your writing find ways to enlarge your market. A single example of this would to try and make the book into a movie. 

Was there a specific moment where you thought 'ohh I'll write a book' or did it just happen?
    I've been writing books, more so started and didn't finish, since I was a young girl. Writing was always a way for me to disconnect myself with my surrounding and completely explore someone else's. It was always my favorite hobby, and therefore, I thought it would be great to actually attempt to pursue this long dream I've always had to do what i always loved. 

What are you currently working on?
   Currently working on two novels: Secrets of Orchid Lane   &   Secrets of Sable Ave. Both books are a part of a series, which I am currently debating about adding other books into. They take place in the same town, but they follow the lives of two very different women. Their expected release is Spring 2012. I am also working on the beginning stages of a YA book which was put on hold for the release of these two books.

Is there anything you find especially hard about writing? (no time, lack of inspiration, other aspects of your life etc...) 
   The hardest part about writing currently is finding time to write. As soon as I do find the time, it makes writing that more enjoyable because I have so much to put down on paper. It's exciting to see my story unfolding right before my eyes.

Who is your biggest inspiration? (authors, other people in your life..) 
   My family is my largest inspiration to follow my dreams. They are essentially my drive. It's a beautiful thing to have people in your life who wholeheartedly believe in you. Authors that are inspiring to me would include, but are not limited to, Alisa Valdes (Rodriguez), Janet Evanovich, Mindy Kailing, and Terry McMillian, to name a few. I enjoy and have lots of respect for others as well.

What is your highest dream for the future? 
   My highest dream is to become a household name through my writing. I would be pleased to see my writing grow to the potential it possibly can be and have others enjoy it just as much as I do.

Where can we find you? (twitter,blog...) 
   Twitter: @PaigeHurtado

Thank you for interview Paige, we look forward to your work! 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Small Blogs Big Giveaways Edition 5

 



The Biggest International Bookish Giveaway Online

36 books split between 3 winners + 6 Gift Card Giveaways!

Follow the event on twitter


HOSTS, Feat. Authors & Other Giveaways

Organized by: Reading Romances
Hosts:

Can't Put It Down  
Close Encounters with the Night Kind  
How Many Days In A Year     
Beck Valley Books  
Romance Around the Corner              
I am a book addict...and proud of it  
From a Book Lover 
Cocktails and Books 
Words on the shelf 
Frugal Experiments  
RainbowsWithinReach 
Hobbies on a Budget
The Vincent Zandri Vox


Thank you to our featured authors:
Want to be the first to be contacted when the sign ups start? Leave your info here and you'll receive the information about the 5th edition: January 20 - 27.
BOOKS (36):



READ THE FULL LIST OF PRIZES HERE


Other Giveaways:

- Ends Nov 18th: $25 amazon.com Gift Card

INT ; November 18 -20th:
ebook copy of For Queen and Country INT, Nov 20- Dec 21st:ebook copy of 
Jealous And Freakn' by Eve Langlais INT; Ends Nov 30th: a $50 amazon.com Gift Card INT.

 - Nov 16- 30th:
Vampire Shift T-shirt and a book from the Kiera Hudson series of their
choice (Vampire Shift, Vampire Wake, or Vampire Hunt) INT

Nov 8 - 23rd & 18-20th  : Cash Giveaway

Nov 27 - 30th: Untamed Highlander by Donna Grant (signed paperback) - US & Canada

Nov 19 -30th: ebook copy of Destiny Redeemed / Nov 23- 27th : ebook copy of The Demon Side INT

November: 1 copy of Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson paperback  (UK) THIS BLOG post beneath

November: Multiple Giveaways

Nov 8th - 29th: featuring 90+ prizes including a brand new Kindle courtesy of Noble Romance; Weekly Giveaways (ongoing) - subscribe to sarahballance.wordpress.com *by email* for a chance to win a $10 gift card to Noble Romance or a $5 gift card to Amazon (winner's choice, INT);  Nov 14 - 25th;  win a $5 Amazon gift card and ebook copies of UNFORGIVEN and HAWTHORNE (INT)

Before you go don't forget to check out the SECRET SANTA book exchange here where you can gift someone and receive books of your wishlist this xmas: SECRET SANTA BOOK EXCHANGE