Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts

09 February 2015

Giant Valentine's Day eBook Giveaway!

It's almost Valentine's Day, and love is in the air.
And what better way to celebrate than with a boatload of fabulous books? Some of my favorite authors and I want to give you a present this Valentine's Day! Scroll down to the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post to enter one of TWO big bundles of eBooks.

There's a YA bundle:


 including TWELVE STEPS (my own debut novel), EFFORTLESS WITH YOU and BRING THE RAIN by Lizzy Charles, DON'T FALL by Rachel Schieffelbein, ROAD TO SOMEWHERE by Kelly Lynn & Jenny S. Morris, SECRET CATCH by Cassie Mae and Jessica Salyer, HOME IS WHERE YOU ARE by Tessa Marie, and FRACTION OF STONE by Kelley Lynn

... and an NA/Adult romance bundle:



THE REAL THING by Cassie Mae, EYES TURNED SKYWARD and FULL MEASURES by Rebecca Yarros, DEFYING REASON by Elizabeth Seckman, LOVE AND CUPCAKES by Susan Bishop Crispell, OVER THE OCEAN by Georgia St. Mane, and SING FOR ME by Gracie Madison


You definitely want to enter this giveaway!! I can personally recommend DON'T FALL, EFFORTLESS WITH YOU, and LOVE AND CUPCAKES, as I've read and adored each of these books. (Obviously, I also personally recommend TWELVE STEPS.) Most of the other books in these bundles have been on my personal "to read" list for a while. I'm already jealous of the lucky winners!! (I can't wait to read Lizzy Charles' newest book: BRING THE RAIN, and I've adored everything I've read so far from Cassie Mae.) 

Update!! I got to read an advance copy of BRING THE RAIN, and it was amazing! My review is on Goodreads here.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Note: Rafflecopter is a little quirky, and it kind of looks like this form is only for the YA bundle ... but if you click the little arrow under the prize information, you'll see that it's also an entry form for the NA/Adult prize package.) 

14 July 2014

Happy Book Birthday, ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED ON PURPOSE by Rachel Harris

AMOP RDL Banner  

  I am so excited to be a part of the Release Day Launch for Rachel Harris' ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED ON PURPOSE!! ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED ON PURPOSE is the third book in her Love and Games Series published by Entangled Bliss.

  Accidentally Married On Purpose

About ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED ON PURPOSE: One ring plus one wild night equals one crazy love Sherry Robicheaux loves men. She loves love. And she loves an adventure. So when she meets a mysterious man while working backstage at a country music concert in Vegas, she’s all about what’s happened in Vegas staying there. Country music superstar Tyler Blue just wants a weekend of anonymity…though there’s something about the spunky waitress with the streaks of purple hair that tempts him like no other. Until the next morning, when they both wake up with fuzzy memories…and rings on their fingers. Convincing Sherry to maintain the ruse for his public image isn’t the hardest part—it’s reminding himself that their time spent playing husband and wife in her small town of Magnolia Springs can’t last. Tyler’s first love will always be music—and the road is no place for a sweet downhome girl.  

Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Amazon | Amazon UK | Google Play



 MY THOUGHTS:
This series just keeps getting better and better. The first book in the series, TASTE THE HEAT, totally took me by surprise. I fell in love with the Robicheaux clan and a certain sexy firefighter (before picking up this book, I didn't read many romances aimed at adults). Then, with book two, SEVEN DAY FIANCE, Rachel Harris managed to turn my two least favorite characters from book one into two of my very favorite fictional characters, giving me "butterflies and tingles from page one, clear 'til the end!"

And ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED ON PURPOSE is so much better, even, than the first two! (It's a good thing I don't give star ratings, because I'd have a hard time figuring out how to give more than five stars!)

I was so excited to finally get to read Sherry's story (which I've been waiting for since reading TASTE THE HEAT). She's adorable and vivacious, and absolutely genuine (I feel like she would be one of my best friends in real life). And I loved getting to know Tyler Blue, the absolutely swoon-worthy singer with a soft spot for family.

Sherry is in love with the idea of being in love. She's no stranger to sizzling romances, but they've all fizzled far too soon, and she's ready for something better. Convinced that she needs a new approach to love, she decides she needs someone boring and dependable. But before she gives up the fun life, there's nothing wrong with one last no-rules weekend in Vegas, right? Except she wasn't counting on waking up married to country music's biggest superstar.

What happens in Vegas doesn't always actually stay in Vegas.

Still, Tyler Blue is the best thing that could have happened to Sherry Robicheaux. Not only is he sexy and fun, with a voice that could make the coldest heart melt, but he's a great guy who loves his family more than anything. It's not often that I fall head-over-heels for a fictional character, but Tyler absolutely made my heart melt. *swoon*

If you haven't read the first two books in the series yet, that's okay. ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED ON PURPOSE totally works as a stand-alone novel. But once you get to know the Robicheaux clan, you'll want to read the rest. (And SEVEN DAY FIANCE is on sale right now for only 99 cents!!)




 EXCERPT:
From opposite the long table of food, the brunette gave him a blatant once over as he came to a stop in front of her, twirling a strand of purple hair around her fingertip. When she reached his lucky belt buckle, her sinful lips twitched.

 “If the words, ‘Come here often,’ leave your mouth, I swear I’ll laugh you straight back to roadie-ville.” Her words were harsh, but the smile that sprang free was playful, and Tyler found himself mesmerized by the familiar twang of her southern voice.

So much so that he’d almost missed what she said.

“Roadie-ville?”

 “Sorry, do you prefer techie?” Her cute nose wrinkled as she stuck her hands in her back jeans pocket. “I heard someone else say that earlier, but I swear that sounds like a computer nerd.” She looked him up and down again, this time her gaze lingering around his hips. Slightly south of the belt buckle. Hot damn. “I think roadie fits you better. Sounds sexier.”

Tyler scratched the side of his jaw. Was she messing with him? He’d heard a hell of a lot of come-ons since making it to Nashville and had been propositioned in every way possible. But this was a first. The woman stared back, smiling that damn seductive smile, and he realized she honestly had no clue who he was. For some reason, he was in no hurry to correct that just yet.

He couldn’t recall the last time he’d gone anywhere without being recognized, much less his own concert. But since the room was swarming with crew, Tyler could understand the confusion…if she weren’t a hardcore fan, and clearly, this woman wasn’t. Tyler swiped a hand over his mouth, hiding a smile.

“Sugar, you can call me anything you like,” he drawled, laying it on thick even to his own ears. Her pretty lips parted, and he grinned. “And what can I call you?”

Her smile twisted into a smirk. “Who said you could call me at all?”

 He laughed, shocked again, and for the first time in a long time, speechless.

She winked. “I’m Sherry.” When she said her name, she looked right into his eyes as if he should remember it, and he had no doubt that he would. The confidence pouring off her was sexy as hell. “And…you are?”

 “Tyler,” he replied, glad she’d gone with just her first name so he could do the same. The rest of the world simply referred to Tyler as Blue, the front man for the band bearing his last name. Even so, he stood back and waited for a sign of recognition.

It never came.

When it became obvious she really had no clue who he was, nor would she guess any time soon, Tyler felt a knot of tension release between his shoulder blades.

“So, Sherry, you planning to watch tonight’s show?”

She pulled a face. “I’m not much for country, other than the line dances. All those songs about trucks and trains and whiskey and dogs, though that last one I can forgive.” Her smile softened and Tyler moved closer, wanting to be nearer the genuine warmth of it. “No offense to your boss or anything,” she added with a slight grimace. “I heard he’s pretty hot…even if he is the man-whore of country music.”

A shocked laugh burst from his lips. “Excuse me?”

 She waved her comment away, as if she hadn’t just insulted him to his face—which, he guessed, she hadn’t really. At least not on purpose. “Just a theory I have. I’m sure he’s a perfectly adequate boss.”

Now, Tyler laughed for real. “Yeah, he’s…adequate.” Shaking his head, he propped his hip on the table. This was the most fun he’d had with a woman in months—and they both still had their clothes on.

 
  Author Photo About Rachel Harris: Award-winning and Bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books...and kissing. Lots of kissing. An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED ON PURPOSE Goodreads

04 July 2014

Happy Fourth of July!


Happy Independence Day to all of my American friends and readers! And to those of you in other parts of the world, Happy Summertime Friday! (There's always some reason to celebrate life, right?)

Independence Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, not because of the backyard BBQ or the watermelon-eating contests, or even the impressive fireworks displays, but because I love having a day set aside to celebrate our gratitude for freedom and liberty, and to remember all the brave men and women who fought (and still fight) for those freedoms. Please take a moment today, wherever you may be, to give thanks for the blessings in your life.

Side note:
As you may have noticed, my blogging efforts have slowed recently. (This happens every summer, as my children are out of school, and I'm spending more family together time with them.) I am still around, and I have a few recipes and book reviews ready to post in the upcoming weeks, but the pace will continue to be slow here on the blog probably until school is once again in full-swing in September.

In the meantime, you can still find me online. Most days, I'm on Twitter and Facebook. And I've had a couple of really fun interviews recently.

* The Debut Dish interview with That Artsy Reader Girl - I got to share a blog post with A.J. Pine (who I absolutely adore), and you still have 2 days to enter to win a copy of A.J.'s fun NA romance, IF ONLY, so go check it out!

* My Life in Movie Titles interview on the brand-new Breathless Ink blog - I got to share a little bit about myself and my book, and to celebrate some of my favorite movies in the process. This was one of the most fun interviews I've ever participated in. PLUS, you can win a copy of TWELVE STEPS and other great books!!

05 May 2014

Release Week Tour: CAMP PAYBACK by J.K. Rock


I love the Camp Boyfriend series by J.K. Rock, and I'm so excited to be a part of the Release Week Blitz & Blog Tour for the latest in the series: CAMP PAYBACK!


Camp Boyfriend #2
Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Released April 29, 2014
Published by Spencer Hill


Alex has big plans for camp this year, starting with making it the best summer ever. Having fun and breaking some rules will get her the payback she wants against her parents and her ex-boyfriend. Because of his disgusting texts, she's headed to a super strict all-girls school in the fall. Then she meets Javier and revenge doesn't seem nearly as important as getting to know the troubled loner determined to keep a low profile at camp. But Alex's trouble-magnet personality and Javier's need to stay in the background don't mix nearly as well as their irresistible chemistry. With her home life eroding under her feet and her last year of summer camp speeding to a close, Alex wants to make her mark on the world and squeeze every bit of fun out of her time with Javier. Too bad her old plans for revenge turn back on her just in time to ruin everything. Will she lose Javier too?


I'll be posting my review for CAMP PAYBACK on  Thursday, but today, I have a special guest post for you from the fabulous J.K. Rock

Payback, Karen Style 
By J.K. Rock


In our April release, CAMP PAYBACK, our main character, Alex Martineau, is determined to get payback against her parents and her ex-boyfriend. His disgusting text prompted them to banish her to a super-strict all-girls school when summer’s over. All she has is two months to have fun and get into a little, innocent trouble. And I can relate! As a teenager, my eleventh grade Social teacher took discipline to Hitler level. In fact, he was impressed with the Nazis and spent a lot of time making fun of the ‘weak’ Mussolini and the Italians in WWII. This really bugged me and my friend Laura because we were the only two Italians in the class, besides hot Greg Brienza who slept through most of class and never noticed.

I was one of those girls like Kayla, the main character in our third novel in the series, CAMP FORGET-ME-NOT, who never said her real thoughts out loud. I was too afraid of making other people upset or that they wouldn’t like me. But my best friend, Laura, was- and still is- like an extension of me. I could tell her anything. We talked a lot about how much we hated our Social teacher for making insulting comments about Italians. Worse yet, Mr. M would point to Laura and I (and a dozing Greg) after saying them and ask us if we agreed. As if! Since Laura was quiet (in front of adults) like me, she just shrugged. But inside, she was boiling too, especially when Mr. M made jokes to get the rest of the class laughing at Italians.

Christmas came and a brilliant, but risky payback plan came to us while we were in the mall. We passed a store that sold cheap lingerie, and I commented how funny it would be to give something like that to our uptight teacher. To my surprise, Laura hauled me in there and we bought the tackiest set of red, ruffled, see-through lingerie I’d ever seen. We couldn’t stop laughing every time we pulled it out of the bag. Since we were having a sleepover, we wrapped it up that night and put a big bow on it. We couldn’t wait until Monday to sneak it onto our Social teacher’s desk. For the first time, ever, I couldn’t wait to get to school. Before Social, I asked to go to the bathroom before the bell rang. I grabbed the present from my locker (hidden in a bag) fast-walked to Mr. M’s room and peaked in. Luckily he wasn’t there and I put the present on his desk before dashing back to my other class. I gave Laura a thumbs up as we walked to his class, and we had to hold in our smiles when we took our seats.

Mr. M came in after the bell and made a big fuss when he spotted the present. He exclaimed at what a nice surprise it was from our class and since everyone was basically afraid of him, no one denied that they’d given it to him. It took every ounce of will power not to look at Laura as he undid the elaborate wrapping, lifted the box cover and pawed through the layers of tissue paper. His dumfounded, shocked expression was priceless when he held up the lingerie, trying to figure out what it was. The class was hysterical with everyone laughing and finally, I could give in and join them. It was awesome. Mr. M got so mad that his face turned purple, especially when Greg Brienza (who’d woken at all the noise and seen the gift) fell backwards in his chair from laughing so hard.

Laura and I, ‘the innocent quiet girls’, got away with this payback prank. To this day, no one- except now you- knows we were behind it. It became a legend in our class and school and- poor Greg Brienza- got detention for ‘distracting the class’. Mr. M blamed him and muttered something about Italians… but it was the last negative thing he said about our nationality. Justice was served!




About the Author

J. K. Rock is the pseudonym for YA writing partners - and sisters-in-law - Joanne & Karen Rock. Although they started out sharing an annual shopping trip, they ended up discussing their favorite films and books, joining the same book club and talking about writing... a lot. Their debut novel,Camp Boyfriend, is the first in a three-book series plotted during family pool parties. Their creative partnership is unique in that they enjoy passing a book back and forth, each adding a chapter and fine-tuning the chapter before. Years of friendship has yielded a shared voice and vision for their work that makes writing a pleasure. Learn more about Karen and Joanne at http://jkrock.net



Also in the Camp Boyfriend Series
Camp Boyfriend #1
http://i-am-so-grateful.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-giveaway-camp-boyfriend-by.html



The summer of her dreams is about to get a reality check.

They said it couldn't be done, but geeky sophomore Lauren Carlson transformed herself into a popular girl after moving to a new school halfway across the country. Amazing what losing her braces and going out for cheerleading will do. Only trouble is, the popular crowd is wearing on Lauren's nerves and she can't wait to return to summer camp where she's valued for her brain instead of her handsprings. She misses her old friends and most of all, her long time camp-only boyfriend, Seth. This year she intends to upgrade their relationship to year-round status once she's broken up with her new, jock boyfriend, Matt. He doesn't even begin to know the real her, a girl fascinated by the night sky who dreams of discovering new planets and galaxies.

But Matt isn't giving her up without a fight. As he makes his case to stay together, Lauren begins to realize his feelings run deeper than she ever would have guessed. What if the guy she thought she was meant to be with forever isn't really The One? Returning to Camp Juniper Point was supposed to ground her uprooted life, but she's more adrift than ever. Everything feels different and soon Lauren's friends are turning on her and both guys question what she really wants. As summer tensions escalate, Lauren wonders if she's changed more than she thought. Will her first big discovery be herself?



 photo AToMRPRomotionslogo_zps2b315b86.png 



  a Rafflecopter giveaway

21 March 2014

Twelve Days of TWELVE STEPS #4: Signed Ninja Unicorn Print Giveaway!

http://vbartles.com/12Teasers.htm

My daughter decided that, since my book is called TWELVE STEPS, we absolutely have to do something to celebrate the release for each of the twelve days leading up to the big day. So of course, we have lots of fun family celebrations planned, all linking to our favorite scenes and the lines that make us grin. However, as we were planning our activities, we realized that most of our celebrations only make sense if you've read the book. And we didn't want to spoil the surprise of our favorite scenes by explaining all of the inside jokes. But of course, we wanted to include all of you too!

So each day for the twelve days leading up to March 25, we'll be sharing non-spoilery favorite quotes with a new teaser graphic every day. And each day, I'll share something special and book-related with you as well: recipes, sneak peeks, giveaways and more!

http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Veronica-Bartles-ebook/dp/B00ILMKZFO/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394648228&sr=1-2&keywords=twelve+steps

One of my favorite scenes in TWELVE STEPS is when Andi and her friends go to the movies to try to "accidentally" run into Jarod. One of the movies that's playing is Ninja Unicorn Strikes Back, and my amazingly-talented artist husband, Phil, drew the movie poster for me!!


Today, I'll be giving away three signed prints of this amazing picture to lucky winners!

How do you win? My Ninja Unicorn and his trusty frog sidekick need names! Comment here on my blog, or on my Facebook page, or on Twitter (make sure to include the hashtag #12D12S) with your names for the Ninjacorn, the frog or both! I'll choose one winner from each location (Twitter, Facebook & this blog) at 5pm EDT on Monday, March 24th.

Bonus entries:
* Tell your friends! If your friend enters to win, and they mention your name, you each get one bonus entry into the drawing.
* Share any of my Twelve Days of TWELVE STEPS teaser graphics, including the Amazon preorder link, or share the links to my other Twelve Days of TWELVE STEPS countdown posts. Send me a link to your post (is it on your blog? Facebook? Twitter? Tumblr? Pinterest? other??) so I can verify the entry. (One bonus entry for each unique post.)
* Pre-order TWELVE STEPS! Email me a screenshot of your receipt (funstuff (at) vbartles (dot) com ---> Please make sure to obscure any credit card information - you don't want to send that kind of thing over the internet, just in case!), and you'll get an extra 10 entries into the drawing!

Previous | Next

19 March 2014

Twelve Days of TWELVE STEPS #6

http://vbartles.com/12Teasers.htm

My daughter decided that, since my book is called TWELVE STEPS, we absolutely have to do something to celebrate the release for each of the twelve days leading up to the big day. So of course, we have lots of fun family celebrations planned, all linking to our favorite scenes and the lines that make us grin. However, as we were planning our activities, we realized that most of our celebrations only make sense if you've read the book. And we didn't want to spoil the surprise of our favorite scenes by explaining all of the inside jokes. But of course, we wanted to include all of you too!

So each day for the twelve days leading up to March 25, we'll be sharing non-spoilery favorite quotes with a new teaser graphic every day. And each day, I'll share something special and book-related with you as well: recipes, sneak peeks, giveaways and more!
http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Veronica-Bartles-ebook/dp/B00ILMKZFO/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394648228&sr=1-2&keywords=twelve+steps

Today, I'll be chatting about TWELVE STEPS and running a series of giveaways on Twitter. Up for grabs: swag packages, a signed print of the picture my husband drew of Andi, and maybe a surprise or two! Follow me (@vbartles) and the hashtag #12D12S for little bits of trivia and chances to win throughout the day!

Previous | Next

17 March 2014

Twelve Days of TWELVE STEPS #8: Hand-Knit Daisy Purse Giveaway!

http://vbartles.com/12teasers.htm
My daughter decided that, since my book is called TWELVE STEPS, we absolutely have to do something to celebrate the release for each of the twelve days leading up to the big day. So of course, we have lots of fun family celebrations planned, all linking to our favorite scenes and the lines that make us grin. However, as we were planning our activities, we realized that most of our celebrations only make sense if you've read the book. And we didn't want to spoil the surprise of our favorite scenes by explaining all of the inside jokes. But of course, we wanted to include all of you too!

So each day for the next twelve days, we'll be sharing non-spoilery favorite quotes with a new teaser graphic every day. And each day, I'll share something special and book-related with you as well: recipes, sneak peeks, giveaways and more!

http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Veronica-Bartles-ebook/dp/B00ILMKZFO/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394648228&sr=1-2&keywords=twelve+steps

Andi's favorite flower is a daisy. So today, I'm celebrating the countdown to TWELVE STEPS by offering this hand-knit daisy purse to one lucky winner. (I made the purse from recycled plastic bags, so it's completely hand-made!) Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents.
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

  http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Veronica-Bartles-ebook/dp/B00ILMKZFO/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394648228&sr=1-2&keywords=twelve+steps  Previous | Next

15 March 2014

Twelve Days of TWELVE STEPS #10

http://vbartles.com/12Teasers.htm
My daughter decided that, since my book is called TWELVE STEPS, we absolutely have to do something to celebrate the release for each of the twelve days leading up to the big day. So of course, we have lots of fun family celebrations planned, all linking to our favorite scenes and the lines that make us grin. However, as we were planning our activities, we realized that most of our celebrations only make sense if you've read the book. And we didn't want to spoil the surprise of our favorite scenes by explaining all of the inside jokes. But of course, we wanted to include all of you too!

So each day for the next twelve days, we'll be sharing non-spoilery favorite quotes with a new teaser graphic every day. And each day, I'll share something special and book-related with you as well: recipes, sneak peeks, giveaways and more!

http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Veronica-Bartles-ebook/dp/B00ILMKZFO/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394648228&sr=1-2&keywords=twelve+steps
 
Speaking of mistakes, one of my biggest fears with TWELVE STEPS was that I would forget to mention someone important in my acknowledgements. So I went over them several times, and even had my husband and kids read them to make sure I wasn't missing anyone. ... And I still forgot to mention a very important person! I realized my mistake too late to change the text (I realized it literally minutes after sending my absolute final approval for TWELVE STEPS), so I wanted to thank her publicly here:

Trish Larsen was the amazing photographer who took my author photo. Years ago, when I was writing my first draft of my first manuscript, she read a few pages. And she loved it. She was convinced, long before I knew that I had something worthwhile, that I was going to be a big-time famous author one day. Trish was just building her photographer portfolio, so she offered to take some pictures of me for my Facebook profile picture. And midway through the photo shoot, she turned her camera to show me the picture she'd just taken. "This one will be your author photo," she said. And of course, that's the photo I chose to use when I became a real author. :)

http://vbartles.com

Thank you, Trish!!


https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVeronicaBartles/photos/a.573773666019866.1073741826.573124452751454/693710230692875/?type=1&stream_ref=10
Today, I'm having a Flash Giveaway on my Facebook page. Like my page and tell me your favorite musical, and one lucky commenter will win a signed print of this picture of Andi, drawn by my amazing artist husband, Phil. I'll choose the random winner at 9pm mountain time (11pm eastern) tonight!!

http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Veronica-Bartles-ebook/dp/B00ILMKZFO/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1394648228&sr=1-2&keywords=twelve+steps

Previous | Next

07 March 2014

Preorder TWELVE STEPS and Get a Free Gift!




As you know, my debut novel, TWELVE STEPS, is available for preorder right now (click the links above to preorder your copy!), and I'm both super-excited and totally terrified to think that people will be reading my words soon!!

You may have noticed by now that when I'm feeling particularly anxious about something, I like to relieve the anxiety by doing something for other people. So I thought I'd offer a "Thank You" gift to everyone who preorders my book.

Email me a copy of your preorder receipt (a screen shot is perfect), as well as your mailing address, and I will send you a signed TWELVE STEPS bookmark or postcard, while supplies last.

AND if you share the news with your friends, ask them to mention your name when they send in their receipt. You'll both be entered into a drawing for a special custom print of the picture of Andi my amazing artist hubby, Phil, drew to celebrate my book contract.
http://pbartles.wordpress.com
Love and Giant Squish Hugs to you all!!


18 February 2014

True Love is Timeless

This week, to celebrate Valentine's Day, the members of Rachel Harris' Flirt Squad have put together a Flirtilicious Blog Hop.
I began the month full of excitement, counting down to February 15, when I'd decided I would post my installment of the blog hop. And on the morning of Valentine's Day, I sat down at my computer to write and schedule my fun and flirty blog post.

And then the news arrived that my 79-year-old grandmother had chosen to spend her Valentine's Day with her sweetheart. My grandfather died a little over a year ago, and we've all missed him terribly, but no one more than Grandma.

I remember, when I was a little girl, cuddling on the couch with Grandma as she told me about going to dances with Grandpa, and how he swept her off her feet.

She was only 16 (Grandpa was 17) when they ran off to get married. They didn't "have to" get married (no shotguns involved in this love story), but they were so in love that they didn't stop to think about the fact that they were much too young or that the odds were against them. They simply knew they didn't want to spend another day without each other. And so they didn't.

 
 Even as they grew older, and their health began to decline, they were an inseparable pair, full of life and imagination. (Grandpa even built a trailer to tow behind his electric scooter, so he and Grandma could still enjoy nature together.) It's no wonder Grandma was anxious to be reunited with her sweetheart this Valentine's Day. And so my Flirtilicious blog post is dedicated to the couple who taught me that true love can last forever, as long as you keep working to grow together.


Speaking of timeless love...

I have an excerpt from Rachel Harris' A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES to share with you:

I sit in stunned silence; my face presses into the warm comfort of his palm as the words you’re perfect wash over me again and again in spine-tingling waves.

Austin Michaels thinks I’m perfect.

And if that is true, then it has to mean he cares for me.

Drawing on every ounce of courage I’ve attempted to build within myself during this time-travel adventure, I grip the hard muscles of his arms and say, “But Austin, you did teach me. In the last ten days with you, I learned more about what it means to live than I have in the last sixteen years. But even more, you make me feel as though you can see all the tiny pieces of who I truly am inside, the real Alessandra that no one else knows—the woman who lives behind the girlish act of perfection I wear for the world. You may not agree with me all the time, and you exasperate me far more often than I’d like, but you respect me…and Austin, that means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

When I finish speaking, I realize I am trembling, but it’s not from the night air. In the distance, I hear the faint sound of music seeping from Lyric, but neither that nor the cars whooshing past just a few feet away on the street breaks the roar of silence between us.

Though I did not profess the full extent of my affection, I have no doubt Austin knows how much I care for him. And as his silence lengthens, I begin to think that perhaps I was mistaken. That he does not feel the same, and that he is now preparing to let me down gently. Pondering that thought, I fortify my heart for another man’s rejection, but even while I do so, I cannot regret sharing my feelings.

My faith remains in the truth I have fought so hard for my cousin to believe: the pain of not having Austin return my feelings may be excruciating, and it may not be worth the turmoil of heartache, but choosing to take a chance and living life always is.

Austin interrupts my somewhat dark and profound introspection by dipping his forehead to touch mine. And just like that, all thoughts are whisked away, and my senses are filled with the scent of mint.

With our gazes connected, we share a breath, one now sharpened with the same sting of awareness from the beach. My pulse quickens with the realization that this does not feel like rejection…this feels like desire.

And I’m so ready to experience another one of Austin’s kisses that I almost explode from the anticipation.

His darkened gaze drops to my mouth for a long moment, and the skin around it prickles to life, already tasting him. But instead of lowering his head and capturing my lips, he looks into my eyes. The fullness of my yet unspoken affection reflects back at me.

Then, with eyes so dark they blend into the night, Austin whispers, “I do see the real you, Alessandra.” He smiles. “And I think I’m falling for the girl I see.”

And don't miss the amazing giveaway going on as a part of this Flirtilicious blog hop! You could win one of 13 BOOKS, a gift card, swag, & more. I will be sending signed TWELVE STEPS bookmarks to five people, as well as this gorgeous, hand-made, eco-friendly bracelet to one lucky winner.


Grandma and Andi (the main character in my upcoming debut novel, TWELVE STEPS) share a love of daisies, and Grandma was the queen of repurposing things that others would throw away to create beautiful works of art. So I thought it fitting to donate this daisy bracelet, handmade from recycled plastic bags, to the giveaway. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
 About the Author

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, watching soap operas with her grandmother and staying up late sneak reading her mom's favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life's problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain
situations. 

She homeschools her two beautiful girls and loves watching reality television with her amazing husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult Fun, Flirty Escapes, and LOVES talking with readers!


 

 

03 February 2014

Book Review + Giveaway: CAMP BOYFRIEND by J.K. Rock

Camp Boyfriend (Camp Boyfriend #1) by JK Rock
Young Adult Contemporary Romance

I recently participated in the cover reveal and book blitz for CAMP CHRISTMAS (#1.5 in J.K. Rock's Camp Boyfriend series), and I realized that I never posted a review for the book that started it all: CAMP BOYFRIEND.

22 October 2013

Seven Day Fiance Blog Tour: Top 5 Things Angelle Wants YOU to Know About Cane

Rachel Harris' SEVEN DAY FIANCE is finally here! 


You can get it in your hands (well, on your ereader) right now! You don't want to miss this fantastic Contemporary Romance from Rachel Harris. Book 2 in the Love and Game Series, SEVEN DAY FIANCE can be read as a standalone. Check out all of the information regarding this fantastic novel and Rachel Harris below! Then, see what we have in store for you on this blog tour stop and enter to win an awesome SEVEN DAY FIANCE Swag Basket!


SEVEN DAY FIANCE Synopsis:

Angelle Prejean is in a pickle. Her family is expecting her to come home with a fiancé—a fiancé who doesn’t exist. Well, he exists, but he definitely has no idea Angelle told her mama they were engaged. Tattooed, muscled, and hotter than sin, Cane can reduce Angelle to a hot mess with one look—and leave her heart a mess if she falls for him. But when she ends up winning Cane at a charity bachelor auction, she knows just how to solve her fiancé problem.

Cane Robicheaux is no one’s prince. He doesn’t do relationships and he doesn’t fall in love. When sweet, sultry-voiced Angelle propositions him, he hopes their little game can finally get her out of his head. He doesn’t expect her to break through all his barriers. But even as Angelle burrows deeper into his heart, he knows once their seven days are up, so is their ruse.




I'm so excited to host the amazing Rachel Harris on my blog today to talk about Cane! As you know, I wasn't sure about Cane to begin with, but he totally took me by surprise. I never thought I'd be attracted to a bad boy, but Cane is so much more than meets the eye.

Cane Robicheaux. Y’all, I lost my heart to this man while writing Seven Day Fiancé. I’ve always been a sucker for the bad boy, especially when said bad boy has a hidden heart of gold. Cane has many layers, layers that shocked the country out of Angelle Prejean, and she’s here to give you a few tidbits on why Cane rocked her socks off so completely.

Top Five Things Angelle Wants YOU to Know About Cane

1.       Epitome of Bad Boy. Tattoos. Battered leather jacket. Motorcycle. Tempting dimples. Body like you wouldn’t believe. Seriously, Cane Robicheaux’s name is synonymous with the title bad boy, and the ladies of Magnolia Springs eat it up. The nights he’s behind the bar at Robicheaux’s, the restaurant he owns, they line up just for the chance he’ll flash those dimples their way. Cane exudes sex—sex and danger. And while Angelle has always been the good girl, doing the right thing, dating stable (read dull) men, you know what they say about opposites attract.     

2.       Hints at More. If it were only Cane’s looks that drew her in, Angelle would be fine—but it’s not. Though he tries his best to hide it away, it’s obvious that there’s more to the town playboy than meets the eye. Granted, she’s learned this through sly observations from afar…their one-on-one interaction has mostly consisted of blushes, squeaks, and mad dashes on her end. But by being best friends with his sisters, working for his best friend at the fire station, and giving horseback riding lessons to his precocious godchild, Angelle’s gotten glimpses of the deeper man beneath—and that’s the man that lands her in a pickle.

3.       Fiercely Loyal. Cane Robicheaux may believe commitment is a four-letter word, but he places the women in life on pedestals. Anyone can see that Colby, Sherry, and Emma mean the world to him, and when Cane turns that same charm on Angelle’s four-year-old niece, Angie’s heart goes all kinds of wonky. Oh, to be on the receiving end of such adoration by a sinfully sexy man…that’s the stuff of good girl fairytales, y’all.

4.       He’s a Musician. Need she say more? Though the restaurant comes first, on a rare night you can find Cane on the small stage at Robicheaux’s, entertaining the masses. His nimble fingers on the jazz bass guitar bring chillbumps to anyone within earshot—and then the man sings. What hot-blooded woman isn’t done in by a deep, raspy voice, and a pair of bedroom eyes? Angelle is every bit as susceptible to that potent combination as the rest of the female population.

5.       Responsible = the New Sexy? Isn’t there a rule that says commitment-phobic bad boys should also be deadbeats—deadbeats without layers and loyalty and child-whispering ways? If there is, Cane hasn’t heard it. With their parents’ deceased, Cane is the head of the Robicheaux clan, a role he takes very seriously. Managing the family restaurant, community involvement, and protecting his sisters at any cost…that may not sound sexy, but in reality, responsibility is hella hot. Especially when the man looks like him.


So there you have it, Angelle’s top five things she believes you need to know about our man Cane. These are just a few of the qualities that make him irresistible in her eyes...

What about YOU, fabulous readers? What qualities in a guy turn YOU into a happy puddle of goo??    


Rachel Harris Bio:

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, where she watched soap operas with her grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading her mama’s favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up way too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life’s problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, she homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches reality television with her amazing husband. Taste The Heat is her adult romance debut. She’s the author of MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY and A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES. She loves hearing from readers! Find her atwww.RachelHarrisWrites.com.

Buy Links:


Links:


And now for the Giveaway! Go enter to win! 


18 September 2013

Opportunity for Artists: DAMSEL DISTRESSED Cover Design Contest

I've tweeted about it and posted on Facebook, but in case you missed the excitement, I want to share an exciting opportunity with you. My friend, Kelsey Macke's debut novel, DAMSEL DISTRESSED, needs a cover, and her publisher has decided to run a contest to find the cover artist! The winning artist will be paid and credited as the cover designer, and will have the opportunity to possibly design the album artwork for the accompanying album too!

If you've been thinking about it, trying to decide whether or not to enter, now is the time to take that leap. You only have 5 more days to enter! (Entries must be received by 22 September 2013)

If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch this video (and then read the message from the author, Kelsey Macke herself, at the bottom of this post) for all the details!



Hey everyone!

My name is Kelsey Macke and I want to thank you all so much for your amazing support for the DAMSEL DISTRESSED Cover Design Contest!

We have already received some gorgeous entries, and we can't wait for you all to VOTE on your favorites very soon!

But we don't want to miss out on any other creations, so I wanted to reach out and let you know that there are still FIVE days left to create an entry to submit!

As you know, the winner will be paid the design commission, and the 10 semi-finalists will win prizes as well, but I have to be honest. The part of the contest that makes me jump up and down like a crazy person is the fact that one of you will be creating a piece of art that speaks right alongside my own. That collaboration is an incredible and beautiful gift, and I am so grateful to each one of you.

That and the fact that my book needs a face.
Please, help my book find its FACE!

For all the info you need about the contest, how to enter, and even details about the storyline, characters, and design aesthetic, visit www.teamomgen.tumblr.com .
And if you are interested in sharing about the contest over the next five days, I've also got a special giveaway going JUST for you! http://www.damseldistressed.com/news/13887851

All my gratitude and love,
Kelsey Macke
@KelsNotChels

25 July 2013

TASTE THE HEAT by Rachel Harris - Giveaway!

Update! I've decided to amp up the heat on this giveaway. I'm now offering a SECOND copy of TASTE THE HEAT to another lucky winner... and this one can be awarded internationally!!! Please spread the word!

A few days ago, I was excited to learn that I won a prize package from Rachel Harris, including a SIGNED poster for TASTE THE HEAT!

Unfortunately, the house we're living in right now (military housing) is too small, and I don't have wall space to display this fabulous poster... So with Rachel's permission, I'm passing it along to one of you lucky folks! (I'm also throwing in a copy of the TASTE THE HEAT ebook for the lucky winner!!!)

Just enter on the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway