Surveys & Sign-ups! Seasons Greetings & Giveaways!

Twas the morning before Christmas, and all through my blog, not a creature was stirring—I spiked the eggnog.

Kidding, kidding. ;) This is my last post until January 07, 2013, so I wanted to go over a few quick things:

  Surveys

As we go into a new year, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the blog. To me, it's just as much yours as it is mine, so make your voice heard! :) Please click on the tag below to take the survey. It's only one question, and it just asks you to rank ten blog topics. Simple, right?

  Sign-ups

Tour sign-ups are still going on over at my website. You can choose to participate in the release day festivities, host a tour spot, or review an e-ARC on your book blog or website. (Details here.) Now, behold the badges!

Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas! (Or whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year.) You are all so important to me, and I want you to know how much I appreciate your support and friendship. *Hugs*

Sadly, I can't afford to give you guys anything cool this year... but my publisher can! 

   SSP's Merry Jubilee

From Christmas to New Year's, we're celebrating YOU!

• Stuff your stocking with some of Sapphire Star's hottest books for just $0.99!
• Plus, DON'T miss your chance at winning an iPad 2! (Details below.)

The Mistaken by Nancy S. Thompson

Carter's Treasure by Amy Gregory

Finding Claire Fletcher by Lisa Regan

When We Collide by A.L. Jackson

The Restaurant @ The Mill by Linn B. Halton

Sophie's Turn by Nicky Wells

Taking Charge by Mandy Baggot

Dangerous Embrace by Dana Mason

The Quintessential Gemini by Linn B. Halton

Murder In Silence by Gary Kassay

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Official Giveaway Rules:

Giveaway Prize:  One (1) Apple® - iPad® 2 with Wi-Fi – 16 GB – White. No purchase necessary. This contest is void where prohibited by law. Entrants must follow Rafflecopter instructions. One (1) winner will be picked via Rafflecopter and will be notified by email within three days of end of contest. If a winner is unreachable after seven (7) days, or if that winner is unavailable for prize fulfillment, an alternate winner will be selected.  Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Contest entrants agree to abide by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of the contest commissioners, which are final on all matters pertaining to the contest. Entrants grant to Sapphire Star Publishing the right to use and publish their name online. All results posted are unofficial until winner responds to e-mail notification. Contest ends on January 2, 2013 at 12:00 a.m. PST. 

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Have a great two weeks! ♥

P.S. In case you missed it on Facebook, here's a Christmas card from Wallace. ;) 

EJ Wesley Ruined My Apocalypse

I promised EJ I would post about his newest release today, assuming the Apocalypse would prevent me from having to do any actual work, but as you can see... that wasn't the case. *sigh* There goes all the fresh dystopian material!

Anyway, Witch's Nocturne is the sequel to EJ's debut novel, Blood Fugue. (You might remember it from this post.) It's available now, so you'll want to check it out!

Description

After receiving an ancient tribal journal from her grandfather, Jenny is sent on a mission of discovery in an attempt to unravel clues to her family's monster hunting past. The journey becomes more than academic when she is asked to confront a coven of dangerous witches who plan to cast an insidious spell on the plains of West Texas.

Witch's Nocturne is the second of the Moonsongs Books, a series of New Adult, paranormal-horror-action novelettes--with a Texas twist--by author E.J. Wesley.

(Note: These stories contain some language and content better suited for mature readers.)

Where to Buy WITCH'S NOCTURNE

Amazon | Smashwords (ePub & PDF)

About the Author

E.J. lives in South Texas. He likes his words and food spicy, and tries to give a little extra 'kick' to the stories he writes. He enjoys reading horror, sci-fi, YA, MG, New Adult--basically anything with words. In true Texas fashion, E.J. is very neighborly, and welcomes you to say 'howdy' at: 

Goodreads  |   Twitter  |   Facebook  |   Blog

Side Note

Every time I see Witch's Nocturne, I get Harlem Nocturne stuck in my head. Is that weird? LOL

Have a great weekend, guys!

Do Not Read This Interview.

There. The title was my attempt at stopping you. Lisa Regan can't say I didn't try to keep this information from the public. ;)

*Slides a folder across her desk* What you do with it is your business...

TRANSCRIPT 

Carrie:  So, Lisa. Tell me a secret. 

Lisa: About what?

Carrie: It doesn't matter. Just tell me something. *Pause* And on a completely unrelated note, have some rum. 

Lisa:  Well, this isn’t really a secret but it’s something you wouldn’t know unless you lived in Philadelphia.  The Wissahickon Creek flows through the city—that’s not a secret.  But no one calls it that.  No one calls it the Wissahickon and no one calls it a creek.  If you live here and you’re from here, you call it “back the crick”.  Yes, “crick” as in a crick in one’s neck.  I don’t know why.  It’s just how things are!

Carrie: Weird! We say "crick" here, too. Why don't you tell me a secret about Finding Claire Fletcher?

Lisa: Are you recording this?

Carrie: Lisa, I'm insulted. I'm your friend, your critique partner, your pub sister, your--

Lisa:  Okay, originally this book went a lot further in time in the characters’ lives.  I went deeply into Connor and Claire’s relationship and his attempts to woo her.  He even snuck her into a prom to try to make up for all that she missed while she was abducted.  But agents said I was trying to do too much and CPs said that all of that was a story for another book so I cut it all.  (75,000 words, mind you!)  I may try to work it into a future book featuring those two lovebirds.

Carrie: You realize that by telling me this, you have to work it in, right? I will not rest until I read those 75,000 words.

Lisa: We'll see. I'm not making any promis--

Carrie: Nonsense! Now tell me a secret about you. Something no one else would know.

Lisa:  I love romantic comedies.  LOVE them.  Which is weird because my work is all dark and twisted and gritty and in books I like my characters good and damaged.  But I could watch rom coms all day long and not get tired of them.  I know they’re silly and formulaic and you always know what’s going to happen but I don’t care.  Most of the time they don’t even touch on what happens 3-5 years down the road when those same two people are stuck in this relationship that they hate and secretly want to stab each other but still, I love them!  I can rarely stomach comedic romance in a book—it makes me all “Bah!  That will never last!”—but for some reason on the big screen I love it.  Some of my favorites are The Cutting Edge (which is mentioned in my book), French Kiss, Picture Perfect, What Women Want, Two Weeks Notice, The Wedding Planner . . . the list goes on and on.

Carrie: Hah! I love it.

Lisa: You're not going to tell anyone, are you?

Carrie: *Smiles* Can I get you a refill?

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Quick! Give me that. I hear Lisa coming. Let's act like we were doing something else--a book promo or something. Here, I'll give you some information about her debut...

 Details 
Title: Finding Claire Fletcher
Author: Lisa Regan
Genre: Crime/Suspense
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Release Date: December 06, 2012

 About the Book  

Down on his luck, Detective Connor Parks takes solace in the arms of a woman he meets at a local bar, but in the morning, Claire Fletcher is gone, leaving behind clues to a decade-old mystery. Abducted at age fifteen, no one has heard from Claire Fletcher in ten years.  Until now.  Driven by an unsettling need to see Claire again, Connor sets out to solve the mystery of her disappearance once and for all. 

 Giveaway 

As part of the Finding Claire Fletcher Blog Tour (12/6/12 through 12/21/12), Lisa Regan will be giving away the following items:

• $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
• 1 signed copy of the paperback of Finding Claire Fletcher
• 1 e-book version of Finding Claire Fletcher

All you have to do is visit the Finding Claire Fletcher Blog Tour & Giveaway page on Lisa’s blog which you can find here and comment on that page letting Lisa know whose blog you’ve just come from.  Each commenter will be assigned a number and then the winners will be chosen using random.org.  Winners will be announced on 12/24/12!

 About the Author 

Lisa Regan is a suspense novelist. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.

 WEBSITE  |  BLOG  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  GOODREADS




 Where to Buy 

• Amazon (Paperback)
• Barnes & Noble (Paperback)
• Amazon (e-book)
• Barnes & Noble (e-book)

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Phew! That was close.

 

So, have you read Finding Claire Fletcher yet?

(If not, you might want to check out my review on GR!)

Have a great week, guys! ♥

Juliana Haygert's New Release!

Looking for Cheers, Cavanaugh? Click here.
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Hey, guys! I interrupt your previously scheduled blog week to bring you news. Juliana Haygert, one of my NA sisters, has a new release out--just in time for the holidays! :)
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 Details: 

Title: Her Heart's Secret Wish

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Release Date: 12/12/12

Category: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary romance

Length: 13,000 words

 About the Book: 

With a renowned reputation as a player, she had everything figured out...
Twenty-year-old college student, Natasha is the life of every party and the reason behind many celebrations. The easiest girl on campus has all guys at her feet and more than a few in her bed.

  …until he came into the game…
Having entered the academic world by chance, Professor Jason Stone is surprised to find one of his young students a huge temptation. The infamous Natasha has caught his attention. But is there more to her than meets the eye?

  …and changed the rules. 
As their unexpected friendship grows, so does their attraction to each other. When Jason’s Christmas plans are canceled and he ends up at the same party as Natasha, sparks flare, destroying the safe zone around them. Will they figure out how to break through their self-imposed barriers to be together, or lose one another forever?

Decadent Publishing | Amazon | Barnes&Nobles | Goodreads

 About the Author: 

Juliana is a Brazilian girl living in Connecticut.

She would love to be Wonder Woman, Cheetara, Elektra, Buffy, Phoebe, She-ra, Rose, Korra, Cornelia, a blood elf shadow priest, and other various kick-ass female from books, comics, TV series, movies, and games, but she settles for—the less exciting but equally gratifying life—a wife, mother, friend and a writer. Her heroines are like the ones cited above and she also writes about the heroes who drive them crazy—and occasionally hot.

Since her first stories, she wrote about 20-something year old protagonists, and today she's part of NA Alley, a blog dedicated to New Adult. 

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | NA Alley

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cheers, Cavanaugh Blogfest!

You guys are in for a treat today! Four of my blogging buddies--Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King and Stephen Tremp--are hosting a blogfest dedicated to The Ninja Captain: Alex J. Cavanaugh. If you don't know who that is, you're either new or  have some form of amnesia, but that's okay. I'm here to help.

You see, I'm especially qualified to participate in this blogfest:

1. My nickname in college was ninja. (Don't ask.)

2. My birthday is Day of the Ninja. (December 5th.)

Cool, right? So, now that you've seen half of my resume, let's get this party started!

  Rules: 

• Be a Follower
• Join the Linky List
• Post your 200 word contribution on December 10th
• Have fun!

What do you mean, 'I can't see them'? I was being stealthy! *sigh* Okay, highlight the space between the title and this passage. 

*mutters something about invisible ink*

  (+/- 20 words)  

 What does Alex look like?   

Alex looks exactly like the clones he created to roam the blogosphere, leaving words of encouragement for fellow writers.

  (+/- 20 words)  

 Who could play Alex in a documentary (living or dead)? 

That's easy! Douglas Sarine from the "Ask a Ninja" video series. He shares his wisdom, but never reveals his  face.

 

  (+/- 20 words)  

 Who does Alex remind you of?  

 Alex reminds me of Joe Satriani, because he plays guitar and has a cult-like dedicated following.

  (+/- 100 words)  

 Flash fiction using: Cavanaugh, Ninja, IWSG, Cosbolt, & Guitar.   

LOCAL AUTHOR ARRESTED

Ninja Captain, Alejandro J. Cavanaugh, was arrested Monday in connection with a string of guitar thefts along the eastern seaboard. The IWSG founder and secret Cosbolt pilot claimed to have saved up for his latest conquest, a Gibson Les Paul, but police aren't buying it.  "No one on the Internet knows what this guy looks like," an amateur detective told SYAW News. "He'd make a perfect criminal. We're almost sure it might've been him."

  (+/-40  words)  
 Leave a comment for Mrs. Cavanaugh, thanking her for sharing.   

Thank you for sharing Alex with us, Mrs. Cavanaugh. As you know, everybody needs a ninja...

*Musical Cue*

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Quick! Everyone describe Alex in one word. ;)
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P.S. Three things, guys: 

1. My computer died last week. (I had to borrow $$ and get a new one. *sigh*) Anyway, don't forget to back up!
2. I have dedicated part of my website to Release Day festivities. If you would like to sign up for one of the options, please feel free to do so at your leisure! ;)
3. Have a great week! ♥

The Blindsided Tour

Guess what, guys? We have mail!

In celebration of Kyra Lennon's Blindsided tour, we've been sent a message from one of her characters. How cool is that? :)

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from:          Georgia Mills (georgia.mills@blindsidedmail.com)
to:              SYAW Readers (attractivepeople@bookishwritertypes.com)
date:          Wed, Dec 03, 2012 at 7:00 AM
subject:     Confession
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Have you ever made a mistake so big, you wish you could take it back? I did, this summer. People say that being really drunk isn’t a good excuse for doing stupid things, but I disagree. Throw in upset and annoyed, and that is a recipe for messing things up. The only person I told was Isabelle, and I sort of regret that too. Not that I don’t trust her, she’s my twin sister, I’d trust her with my life. But that’s how terrible my mistake was. Nobody should ever find out.

I don’t think about it much anymore because I don’t want it to take over my life. I’ve moved on. Besides, it’s almost Christmas, and who wants to be dragged down at this time of year? I’ve got so much to look forward to! My best friend, Mischa, is planning a huge end of term party for all her college mates, and it is going to be amazeballs! Plus, parties mean shopping. I have no idea what I want to wear, but Mischa has her outfit all picked out. The outfit intended to turn some unsuspecting guy into her latest boy toy. Honestly, she’s been through at least five of the boys in our Psychology class, plus a few others she met on nights out. She’s got that special vibe about her that guys are attracted to. I guess having enormous boobs helps too. Whatever, I just sit back and watch – she’s great entertainment, even if she is a bit shallow and mean sometimes...

I better go.

- Georgia

  Blindsided Synopsis:  

 
After a successful first soccer season in L.A, Jesse Shaw heads to London with his best buddy, Hunter, but his world is turned upside down when a dangerous prank threatens his career and his blossoming relationship with Hunter’s cousin, Isabelle.

Isabelle Mills lives in Notting Hill with her parents and her twin sister, Georgia. When she finds out her cousin is coming to stay, along with his famous soccer player friend, her first instinct is to hibernate until they’ve gone. However, once she meets Jesse, everything changes. He’s everything she ever wanted, but with so many obstacles in their path, can she really risk putting her heart on the line?

  Author Bio:  

Kyra Lennon was born on the South coast of England, and to this day, still lives by the sea. After years spent working in retail, where she met enough versatile characters to write hundreds of books, she finally took the plunge and quit her day job. Kyra's debut novel, Game On, was released in July 2012. While fiction writing has always been her passion, she also has numerous articles on a variety of topics published on prolific websites.

  Where to Buy:   

AMAZON   |   AMAZON (UK)

 
  Where to find Kyra:   

BLOG  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK  |  GOODREADS

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Sounds great, Kyra! +10 points for the use of "amazeballs". ;) 

So, what are you guys reading this week? Can you believe it's December already?

P.S. My birthday/Day of the Ninja is Wednesday. Cookies for all! :)