A fundraiser, contests, and freebies, updated

Sadly, we have lost another of the folks who was an ardent supporter of reading and authors, Babs Hightower. There is a GoFundMe page. Please give what you can to help the family.



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Sorry for the quiet blog, I'm dealing with some personal challenges and a bit stretched out right now, but here are a few contests and blogs that have regular contests:


Night Owl Romance Hallowpalooza 2019

Author Karen Doctor's blog

Author Caris Roane's blog

Author Addison Albright's blog






The links below will give me extra entries if you use them, so...thank you!



Michelle A. Bailey's Romance Book Fair



OTOH Unearthly Ever Afters October Book Fair


The Kindle Book Review $400 Fantastic Fall Giveaway
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Free books!

Julia Kent's Fall Into Romance has 9 free books plus a chance for an AMZ GC

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Contests, giveaways, and scavenger hunts

Those of you who live in an area that observes Daylight Savings Time, don't forget to adjust your clocks!



Several fun contests going on right now...

Night Owl Reviews has the Love is in the Air Giveaway 2019


Romance Books 4 Us has a monthly contest


The Romance Reviews' 8th Anniversary Party is going on now!




Of course, now that I'm trying to post, I can't find all of the freebies I've been taking advantage of all week, lol, so I'll update as I come across them.


Author Tracy Cooper Posey is offering

KISS ACROSS TIME (Kiss Across Time: Book 1) A Vampire Menage Time Travel Romance

Author Kayelle Allen has multiple freebies on her website (click on the "Free" tab)


Romance Novel Giveaways
has multiple giveaways (scroll down the page)

The Kindle Book Review has a Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway
(clicking on the link gives ME an extra entry, so thank you!_

Contests!

Poinsettia plant after the rain

Some of these are ending soon, so don't delay...but others are going for several days. My best wishes to you and your families for a peaceful and joyous holiday season!




Visit The Wild Rose Press blog and comment on the daily posts for a chance at prizes!


Romance Books 4 Us has a December Scavenger Hunt that ends 12/22.

The Romance Studio's TRS party ends 12/23.

Accent on Romance has a list of books on special AND a giveaway (ending soon!)


There are more giveaways wandering around...feel free to add more in the comments!

Interesting links plus a few contests

I grow many of my plants in large containers. Being disorganized (and somewhat lazy) I tend to stick things in the pot and not pay attention to marking the plants. Of course the end result is something like this...there is basil in the foreground,  a tomato plant in the background, and a mystery plant with long green leaves in the middle. Hopefuly, one of these days I'll discover what it is, lol.


I came across this yesterday, and it's a perfect time since my life has been REALLY stressful the past few months...

http://www.marcandangel.com/2018/04/08/31-five-second-reminders-that-will-make-calmness-your-superpower/


 http://www.marcandangel.com/2010/11/15/12-dozen-places-to-self-educate-yourself-online/





Mindfulness for Beginners




There's always something that provides me with a quick laugh or a brief break (hence the name, lol) on this site...Dailybreak


The Bing homepage has a beautiful picture every day (and one can accrue points by searching and taking quizzes!)


Contests:

Romance Books '4' Us has the May Flowers contest

VERY busy author Caris Roane has informative articles several times a week plus giveaways of the beautiful bracelets she makes! Her blog is at this link (but be warned, the pages are sometimes very busy and take a while to load)

Night Owl Reviews has a contest page at this link

Follow the Goddess Fish tours, there are plenty of giveaways!

Feel free to leave other ones you have found in the comments...

Contests, giveaways, and chatting...

Whether today is a well-fed holiday or a bargain-hunting shopping day or a regular run-of-the-mill day...don't forget to read! A few of the authors I work with have titles that either have recently released or are about to:


        



(and some are ADULT titles)



     






There are multiple contests going on (and a few that I forgot to enter, darn it, lol)




Night Owl Reviews has the Winter Wonderland Reader Scavenger Hunt

The Colors of Love Blog Hop has both a FB component and a blog hop component (those of us non-FB folks REALLY appreciate not being excluded!)
Don't miss the fun video on Kiru Taye's stop!

Writerspace.com always has plenty of contests, and although I am sad they have moved the author chats to FB, there are opportunities there for one to win prizes as well, I suspect

Coffee Time Romance has a contest page as well as occasional giveaways sprinkled through the blog.

Reviews by Crystal blog frequently has giveaway contests

Love Books Love Authors has a couple of giveaways.

I will get extra entries if you enter from the following links for the following contests...and be warned, you may be added to authors' newsletters:

The Book Nymph's

November Fantasy Book Fair and Kindle Giveaway
November Romance Book Fair and Kindle Giveaway

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CHATS

Do you like to interact directly with authors? Come join us and chat with some fascinating romance authors. It's a typing chat, so you can be comfy in your pajamas (or out of them, lol). There are often prizes available and it's a wonderful opportunity


On Friday evenings at 6 p.m. (west coast US), join us at this link to get silly, talk about books, and chat with authors who have dropped in. There is usually a different genre featured every week (schedule at this link)

We are holding a special chat on Saturday, Dec. 2, at noon (west coast US) that should have some UK authors in addition to others that can't make it on Friday evenings.

If you are an author who would like to share news about your books, feel free to leave a comment with your contact info.


On Mondays, there are also Night Owl Romance Chats that feature several authors. They are not every week this year, but that will change next year.

Contests, giveaways, and whatnot! (updated 9/18/17)

Whew!  It's been a hectic couple of weeks and I have to wonder whether I am coming or going, lol, since I have spent WAY too much on the freeways. I can't complain as much because I am blessed to not be in an area affected by the horrendous weather issues (and I send good thoughts to all of those affected) but wow, am I behind on everything!


So...here are a few of the contests and giveaways that I know are going on right now...

Night Owl Reviews (NOR) has a couple of events going on, but hurry, they end soon.

     The NOR Paranormal Romance Binge is offering readers free books and a chance at a gift card!

     The NOR Cupcakes & Books Scavenger Hunt has tons of prizes! This is always a great hunt because it introduces you to SO many great authors and their books.


Romance Books 4 Us has a Falling Leaves September Contest.

Marie Lavender is celebrating her 400th Anniversary Post and Early Autumn with a Mega Book Giveaway (which, btw, includes my wonderful author JJ Montgomery's fantastic story, Gun for Hire!)

There are plenty of other contests, feel free to share those you have found!

And, come join us at the Writerspace.com/chat meetings on Fridays at 6 pm (west coast US). There are often prizes but best of all, you can chat about books with authors and other avid readers!


 Starting 9/18/17:



Chloe Neil is releasing The Hunt, the third book in her Devil's Isle series, and there's a fantastic blog tour and a major giveaway at this link.
 

Contests and giveaways and an invite...

I invite you to scroll through some of the past posts on my blog, there are still several giveaways open!

There are also fun contests at the following sites (just click on the contest name or site name to be taken to the contest page):


Romance Books 4 Us has a February Valentine contest

Night Owl Reviews has A Tea Party & Books Scavenger Hunt
and other contests at this link


For those of you who like reading excerpts, there is a fun contest at Alicia Dean's blog. Make sure you go to Amazon and read the free previews, that makes it much easier to figure out which snippet goes with the book!

Reviews by Crystal always has plenty of giveaways along with lovely reviews

Coffee Time Romance has revamped the site (beautiful!) and has plenty of contests



Feel free to share more in the comments!


Also, if you like interacting with authors and sometimes winning prizes, please feel free to join us at the Writerspace.com chat or every other Monday at Night Owl Reviews!

Big Box of Paperbacks Giveaway

Welcome to the #PNR and #UF Giveaway Party!

Who’s ready for a giveaway you can get your hands on? A bunch of authors got together to bring your this Big Box of Paperbacks Giveaway! One lucky winner is going to win SIXTY-TWO (62) Paperback Books! How’s that for an epic Book-Lover’s Prize?! If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy, Dystopian Fiction, or Paranormal/SciFi Romance, you’re going to want to get in on this! The best part is that even if you don’t win, you’ll be subscribed to the sponsoring authors newsletters for a chance to grab some freebies, snag some special offers, and enter more giveaways!

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Here are a couple of sneak peeks!

 

Excerpt from:  

Foxblood: A Brush with the Moon 
by Raquel Lyon

The funeral was a typically sombre affair, alive with soggy tissues and streaky make-up. I stood at the back, letting the vicar’s voice wash over me, and spent the whole time staring at the flower-laden coffin, wondering if the lid would suddenly flip up and a fanged monster would escape to reap its vengeance on the congregation.

Unsurprisingly, it didn’t happen, and as the mourners dispersed in the direction of the pub, I quietly snuck off home. I wasn’t in the mood for crowds and needed time to think, time to try to make sense of at least something, but as I turned to close the door, it was obstructed by a perfectly polished black shoe that belonged to…

“Sebastian?”

“Seb, please,” he said, easing his way through. “Only my father calls me Sebastian.” He checked down the backstreet and closed the door securely. His eyes scanned the flat. “Nice place.”

“I like it.”

“It doesn’t bother you? Living over a funeral parlour?” he asked.

“Why would it? The neighbours are quiet.”

He didn’t laugh at my joke; neither did he comment. He simply stood silently, staring. It was very unnerving and made my legs go all wobbly. Perhaps if I turned away from him, he’d disappear again? It was worth a shot. I forced my jelly legs over to the front window and stared out at nothing in particular. The light was subdued, and the sky had darkened to an air force grey. A low mist was beginning to carpet the distant fields, and I wondered if snow had been forecast.

I knew my little experiment hadn’t worked. He was still there. I could feel his presence and smell his scent, a musky, inviting aroma that filled my senses and sent my head into a whirl, and it was getting stronger.

“Your friends interrupted us the other day. Can we talk now?” he whispered softly into my neck, and his fingertips traced a fiery trail down my spine.

“What’s the point? There’s nothing to say. I wish you’d just leave me alone,” I said, lowering my head in time to see Lara leaving the newsagents. She glanced up with a look of fury contorting her face as Sebastian’s hands reached around either side of me and grabbed the window frame.

“I can’t do that. I’m not that strong,” he said.

I studied the arms now imprisoning me, with their perfectly formed muscles straining against the rolled-up sleeves of his white shirt, and seriously doubted his statement. His stance was predatory and made me feel uncomfortable. I ducked under his elbow to escape, but he caught me around the waist and pulled me against him. Our bodies moulded together perfectly, and the strength of his grip made me feel like a china doll that he’d be able to crush in an instant. He was almost a full head taller than I was, and the warmth of his breath caressed my forehead. How easy it would be to reach up and taste those lips. I imagined the feel of them, and my own parted in an involuntary invitation.

The full Foxblood series can be seen here: http://foxifae.wixsite.com/raquellyon

Amazon link

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Autumn Winters, Realm Watchers Book 1 
 by J. S. Malcom 

The rain has stopped, but fog crept in while I sat in Rory’s. I walk through that fog now, the streetlights casting cones of luminescence that capture swirling mist. I should go straight home, but I really want a bottle of wine. J.J.’s Market is only two blocks off and I walk toward neon signs advertising beer and cigarettes, drawn like a moth. Not long ago, I was newly married, looking forward to finishing my MFA in Design with the hope of someday starting my own business. I barely drank and rarely got drunk. Now, I’m wandering around out here at night trying to avoid ghosts and unwilling to go home without alcohol because I’m afraid I won’t sleep. My eyes start to prickle and I wipe the back of my hand across my face.  

And, no, I’m not alone. I can’t hear her behind me—her steps will never make sound again. All the same, I feel her there and soon she walks beside me. 

“Hello?” she says. 

I keep walking. God, it breaks my heart but I don’t want her next to me. 

“Can you hear me?” 

Yes, I can hear you. I say nothing. 

One block to go and maybe I’ll just uncork that bottle right in the store. With any luck, she’ll veer off and find some other lucky person to latch onto.  

“I really need your help.” Her breath hitches as her voice rises in pitch. She’s also crying and I just can’t ignore her—it’s not about me anymore. 

I slow down, then stop. I wipe my eyes, realizing that she’s not the only one crying. 

“Are you okay?” she says. 

Seriously? Things have gotten that bad? 

I take a deep breath to calm down. “I’m fine. Okay, I’m lying but I can deal with that later. What’s going on with you?” 

“I’m not dead,” she says.  

I turn to look at her. No, she doesn’t look dead but many of them don’t. Not to me, anyway. Some are more translucent while others appear basically the same as you and me, give or take the glow around them. That’s not guaranteed either. People are all different, whether dead or alive. One of my new theories is that we all start out as “dead” before becoming “alive” again. Like a lightbulb switching on and off again here in this realm. I think it’s a circular system. It seems an efficient use of energy. In this theory, ghosts are glitches. But this girl next to me isn’t interested in hearing about my theories, which change daily anyway. She just wants to know what’s going on. 

I really don’t want to go there right now but I’m stuck in this situation. I look at her young, beautiful face. Trusting eyes stare back at me. 

“I’m really sorry,” I say. “Did it happen fast? Was it a car crash or something?” 

She shakes her head. “That’s not what happened.” 

I don’t want to take it to the next level but, evidently, I have no choice. “Did you commit suicide?” 

That happens a lot too, I’ve come to learn. Suicide is a big one for getting you grounded. You cause that kind of pain and you just can’t move on.  

She shakes her head again. “No. Please, that isn’t what happened.” 

I think for a moment, hesitating because I hate the dark stuff. I really don’t want to know if she was murdered.  

“I’m not dead,” she says. “I swear. They took my body!” 

Amazon link

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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!

Contests and giveaways

I'm perpetually behind these past few weeks...but I have discovered that there are lots of great blog hops taking place!  If you are in the U.S., I wish you a wonderful holiday weekend.  Don't forget to thank those who are serving or have served...and support them by buying their books or sending letters or care packages or just giving them a thank you when you see them!



Be forewarned, some of the blogs participating in these have even more hops they are involved in, so you could spend hours entering everything!

Sabrina York has FOUR giveaways ending within a matter of hours.

Win bling, swag and more...

http://sabrinayork.com/current-giveaways/

http://www.withloveforbooks.com/2016/05/love-in-bloom-giveaway-hop.html


http://www.withloveforbooks.com/2016/05/splash-into-summer-giveaway-hop.html

https://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/2016/05/lifes-beach-giveaway-hop-international.html


And...if you enter any of these next contests, I get extra entries, so thank you! (warning, some of these are for ADULT books!)

http://christinamandara.com/giveaways/scandalous-summer-reads-150-amazon-gc-giveaway-win/?lucky=4594

http://gvwy.io/4zf0uy0

http://www.booksweeps.com/giveaways/spring-thrills-giveaway/?lucky=2249

http://www.authorandreapearson.com/giveaways/kindlepaperwhite-giveaway/?lucky=6594

http://christinamandara.com/giveaways/win-a-kindle-fire-international-users-50-amazon-gc-giveaway-bdsm-ebooks/?lucky=6666

http://christinamandara.com/giveaways/be-witched-giveaway-30-amazon-gift-card-10-paranormal-romance-books-up-for-grabs/?lucky=4755

http://www.beccahamiltonbooks.com/giveaways/paranormal-romance-pnr-and-urbanfantasy-uf-2000-giftcard-giveaway-amreading/?lucky=45704

http://www.beccahamiltonbooks.com/giveaways/1000-giveaway-for-urbanfantasy-and-paranormalromance-fans-amreading/?lucky=79521

http://www.beccahamiltonbooks.com/giveaways/jrward-giveaway-amreading-pnr-win-any-jr-ward-novel-you-want-blackdagger/?lucky=85964

Contests and giveaways and a request

Waving!  As you can probably tell, I have been juggling a fair bit over the past week (no, I was not having an extended birthday celebration, although, oddly enough my hubby, my MIL and I have birthdays within this week!) so I haven't been posting like I should.  Nor have I had time to visit some of my favorite haunts as much as I'd like, but there are some intriguing contests going on right now.

Please visit author Stanalei Fletcher's blog at this link and learn about the St. Paddy's Day Celebration (and get the first two romantic suspense books in her fantastic 'Northstar Security' series for a wonderfully low price!).  I have had such a great time editing this series and I can't wait to help share the next exciting title in the series later this year!
    

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The irrepressible Sabrina York has some fantastic stories releasing and is celebrating with multiple contests at this link
I just finished enjoying her historical romance novella Lucious which is part of the boxed set, Seven Nights of Sin which is available for $.99 at the time of this post.


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The prolific Lisa Renee Jones has several contests on her blog at this link (make sure you educate yourself about whether your cat is trying to kill you, lol).

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Other contests:


Night Owl Reviews is having the Spring Fling Scavenger hunt at this link and there are always other contests available at this link

Romance Books 4 Us has the March St. Patrick's Day Bunny contest at this link

The always positive Kim has a contest daily on her blog SOS Aloha at this link

Writerspace has plenty of contests at this link

There are giveaways at Coffee Time Romance at this link, this link gives me an extra entry into one of their contests and there are even more contests farther down the page at this link

There are also a preponderance of contests where I get an extra entry if you click on the link and enter...my thanks if you do!
The Lucky Reader giveaway is at this link
Win a 7" Kindle Fire at this link

Good luck!


and please share the link to help my fellow blogger, reviewer, and friend, Crystal (Reviews by Crystal).  She and her family are facing their biggest challenge yet and need all of the positive thoughts you can send them!

Glow by Beth Kery (review) and contest reminders (updated 12/21)

Glow by Beth Kery is the exciting sequel to the story depicted in “Glimmer” and continues to follow Alice Reed, a counselor for Camp Durand who has risen above her humble beginnings as a methamphetamine manufacturer’s daughter. Her searingly carnal relationship with Dylan Fall, the head of Durand Enterprises, continues to evolve, as does the shift in her attitude about the facts that are gradually being revealed about her history. Unfortunately, as Alice begins to accept that some of the memories she is uncovering may be proof that an age-old mystery is going to be solved, evidence also begins to mount that the danger that Dylan has been trying to warn her about may also be very real and she will have to discover who she can truly trust with her heart and her well-being.


There is nothing I like more than a captivating story that combines a sensual and arousing romance and a edge-of-your-seat suspense tale that keeps you racing through the pages to find out what is going to happen. This erotic mystery did a fantastic job of keeping me anxious about the outcome even as it continued to keep me mesmerized as the intense sexual relationship deepened between the main characters. I like the way the bonds cemented and matured between the disparate kids on Alice’s team just as her own growth was fostered during the events that take place in this book. The hints that are gradually revealed about the mystery are delicious additions and the combination of vulnerability and power that Dylan displays make him a much more appealing character for me and I found myself cheering at each milestone that is accomplished. This book would undoubtedly be pretty confusing to read unless one was familiar with “Glimmer” but I think that the buildup from that book to this one was deftly done and ensures that these will be added to my keeper shelves! 

Amazon link




My review of the prequel to this story, Glimmer, is at this link.




Glimmer



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Those of you on Facebook, please remember to visit the 12 Days of Christmas Party sponsored by Reviews by Crystal and Chanta Rand

TRS (The Romance Studio) has a Christmas party at this link

Writerspace has tons of contests at this link

Fresh Fiction has plenty of contests as well at this link

Coffee Time Romance has various contests, start at this link

There's a Christmas Giveaway Hop from The Herd Presents at this link 

There are plenty more out there, if you find some, feel free to share them in the comments...good luck and Happy Holidays! 


Update:  There is a Christmas Treats Giveaway Hop with lots of participants at this link   (whoops, link went to wrong page, but fixed now!)

Dark Duke by Sabrina York (review) ADULT title and a few CONTESTS

 
                                           


This is an ADULT title


Dark Duke: 3 by Sabrina York is a delicious erotic historical romance that spotlights Edward Wyeth, the Duke of Moncrieff, as his world is turned upside-down by his visitors, particularly the companion who accompanies his cousin Violet, Kaitlin MacAllister. Edward’s secret vocation requires a very open-minded person to accept and it never occurs to him that the mousy Scot, Kaitlin, has her own secrets that will make her a perfect foil for him, if only he can get past her formidable barriers. He undertakes to educate her in sensual matters, but never expects that the pupil will surpass his expectations, with a surprising aid that he doesn’t expect.


The wonderful combination of heat and humor in this story reminds me of why I enjoy this author’s works so much. There are intriguing twists on some of the conventions of historical romances combined with a intense sensuality that is offset by the mischievous antics of the hellraisers who have invaded the Duke’s life. I love that he grows throughout the story and embraces the people who have turned his life upside down, despite a series of unexpected developments. Things got a little murky for me toward the end as the madcap action intensified but I suspect that illumination will be provided in a subsequent story and I can’t wait to read more in this series.

© Night Owl Reviews 

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review. 

This series is as follows:
1 Folly
2 Dark Fancy  (a prequel to Folly--in fact, all the subsequent books happen before Folly. Defiant finally catches us up to the time stream
3 Dark Duke
4 Brigand: 4 (companion book with Dark Duke)
5 Defiant: 5

                     
    


and, if you are more into contemporary erotic romance, try Sabrina's  Tryst Island series
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 CONTESTS


The fabulous Sabrina York always has contests at her website, there is a wonderful one going on now at this link and you can support a worthy cause and enter the giveaway at this link and purchase this delicious boxed set as well.


Hometown Heroes: Hotter Ever After (Pets for Vets Charity Bundle)

 








 
The Wild Rose Press has a Halloween "Hauntings in the Garden" contest.  See some of the spooky titles and enter the rafflecopter at this link.


Night Owl Reviews has a Halloween Booklovers contest at this link (easier than ever, it's a Rafflecopter).  Note:  IF you use my link, I will get extra entries!


Lisa Renee Jones has several contests, you can start with the one at this link and there are usualy yummy recipes (thanks to Rae) and a giveaway on her blog on Mondays...such as the one at this link.