Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Book Signing Opportunity for Authors

If you are a Utah author, or you're going to be in Utah Jan 6-7 or if you know a Utah author who might be interested:

I have recently found a boutique being held at the South Towne Expo Center in conjunction with the home show on January 6 & 7. They will rent an 8'x10' booth for $225 for both days of the show. The boutique is from 11am-10pm on Friday and from 10am-10pm on Saturday. If enough authors are interested to make it feasible, I thought it would be a good opportunity to do a multi-author book signing. I think it would probably require 8-10 authors interested for it to be financially worth it. ($28/pp with 8, $25/pp with 9, $22.50/pp with 10).

If you are at all interested, let me know ASAP. In an 8x10 area we can probably have 4-5 authors at a time. I thought we could do it similar to this:

Friday from 11-4:30 (4-5 authors) and from 4:30-10 (4-5 authors)
Saturday from 10-4 (4-5 authors) and from 4-10 (4-5 authors)

Each author would come twice, once on each day. For example, I would prefer Friday's day slot, but Saturday's evening slot. So you don't necessarily have to take both days or evenings. Make sense?

I would be willing to go set up tables with tablecloths, though you'd have to bring your own books, bookmarkers, posters, etc. Keep in mind the limited space when planning what to bring.

If you know of any other authors who might be interested, send a link to this post to them. I think we'd probably have to sign up for a booth by this coming weekend. I do know the homeshow is huge, and last year this boutique got quite a bit of traffic.

Anyone interested, email me at geekgirl@comcast.net

UPDATE

Here's who we have scheduled so far, and their times:

Friday 11-4:30: Karey White, Keary Taylor, Cindy C Bennett, Heather Frost
Friday 4:30-10: Keary Taylor, Anna del C Dye, Stephanie Worlton, Jill Vanderwood
Saturday 10-4: Jewel Adams, Mandi Slack, Sherri Mills, Stephanie Worlton, Tres Hatch
Saturday 1:30-5:30 Anna del C Dye Heather Frost
Saturday 4-10: Jewel Adams, Karey White, Mandi Slack, Cindy C Bennett, Sherri Mills, Shannen Crane Camp

Sunday, December 25, 2011

My Gift to You!

Merry Christmas!

In celebration of my favorite holiday, and in the spirit of giving that I hope we all have this time of year, I'd like to give you a gift.

You can download a free copy of my newest release Immortal Mine on Smashwords. Just use code FA56K from now until midnight, December 26 to reduce the price to FREE. That gives you all of Christmas day and the day following to download your copy on your new (or old) Kindle, Nook, or any other reader. You can even download it just to your computer.

Find it here: Smashwords

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas with family and friends! Enjoy!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Top Christmas Music & Movies... According to Me!

As promised yesterday, today I give you  my top Christmas songs and movies (in no particular order). I'd love to hear yours in your comments. So, without further ado...

Songs:

1. O Holy Night
This has long been my very favorite Christmas carol, even more so as sung by Josh Groben. Though I enjoy the soaring melody, it's the heartfelt gratitude for the birth of Jesus that touches me so much.

2. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Who doesn't love this cheerful song? Especially when it's about the underdog rising to the top to be the savior of the day.


3. Mary Did You Know
Fav version sung by Donny Osmond. Fantastic song wondering just how much did the mother of this little baby know about what he was destined for. Don't all new mom's wonder about their new baby's destiny?

4. Blue Christmas
As sung by Elvis. I think because it pulls me so strongly back to my childhood (raised by an Elvis fan).

5. Do You Hear What I Hear?
I'm not really sure why I love this one so much, other than I love it when I can sing along with the whole thing and not mess up once on whether it's "do you hear" "do you see" or "do you know".

6. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
Yeah, sick, I know. But it makes me laugh every time anyway.

7. In Excelsis Deo
If one can sing the whole "gloria" part without needing a breath, that's pretty impressive. This is an earnest, joyful song.

8. Joy to the World
Uplifting and joyous. Who can sing this in a depressed manner? I'd guess no one.


9. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Who can resist a song by Tony the Tiger ("They're grrreat!") aka Thurl Ravenscroft? I don't believe this can be done as well by anyone else.

10. Silent Night
This is the ultimate Christmas song, encompassing the reason for the season, and the sacredness of it.

11. What Child is This?
Again, a song that reminds us of why we celebrate this particular holiday.



Movies:

1. Elf
I adore this movie! Will Ferrell is earnest and charming as the displaced elf, James Caan is superb as the reluctant "new" dad, and Zooey Deschanel is sweetly cynical. Not to mention Bob Newhart as the undersized foster dad. "Angry elf" anyone? Best. Scene. Ever. Completely quotable movie.

2. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
For the same reasons the song is on my list above.

3. A Christmas Story
This movie never gets old. Finally, proof that ignoring your mom's advice just might take an eye out. Tongue stuck to the pole: classic. The leg lamp: coveted. Pink bunny suit: gut-bustingly funny. Santa's elves dropping kids down the slide: horrifying - and yet funny at the same time. Fah-rah-rah-rah-rah: speaks for itself.

4. Frosty the Snowman
Should be creepy, a snowman who comes to life and takes a little girl on a trip without informing her parents, but instead it's charming and heartbreaking.

5. Home Alone
What parent isn't terrified by the idea of forgetting a child somewhere? And then to top it off, said child is harassed by thugs. Good thing he's clever with a streak of cruelty to keep him safe.

6. The Santa Clause
For those of you who have ever wondered what happens when the old guy gets, well, old. Who takes over? Tim Allen, of course.

7. The Shop Around the Corner
Inspiration for You've Got Mail, this classic 1940 movie pairs James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan as the irresistible pair who hate/love one another.

8. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
There isn't anything about this movie that isn't completely hilarious, from the wrapped cat to the over-decorated house to Eddie and his horrible children and RV.

9. It's a Wonderful Life
Don't we all have days when we need to be reminded about how important we are to those in our lives?

10. The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppets + Scrooge = perfection.

11. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
I am somewhat fond of the Jim Carrey version, but it doesn't hold a candle to the original, cartoon version straight from Dr. Seuss' book.

12. Mr. Krueger's Christmas
If you haven't seen this holiday gem, immediately hunt it down and watch it. I'm not kidding. Do it right now. James Stewart will break your heart, and completely open your eyes to those around you. Stressed about spending the holidays with your family? You won't be after you watch this. You'll be grateful for every last annoying, irritating one of them.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

'Tis the Season

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is that for the most part, people are full of good cheer. Of course you're going to run into plenty of Scrooge's, but to me they are eclipsed by the many people who are cheerful, happy, and most of all, giving.

The local food bank gets more donations this time of year than any other, all of the local charities are full with volunteers, and the Angel Tree's are picked clean. Old toys are donated, new toys are donated, coat, hats, gloves, and socks are freely given.

Christmas music is happy music (if you discount the tear-jerking Christmas Shoes song). Santa is jolly, and you can watch countless reruns of Christmas movies. LMN and Lifetime are an endless string of joyfully cheesy Christmas movies. Houses are festively decorated, cookies are baked without guilt. The other day, driving down the street I saw Santa on a motorcycle with Mrs. Santa in the sidecar, happily waving to all they passed in spite of the freezing weather.

Tomorrow I'll post my top Christmas songs and movies. For today, I'm going to send out my wishes that we can all retain the good cheer we have this time is year, and that we will remember to give, not only of things but also of ourselves, all year long. And my wishes for you all to have a very Merry Christmas wherever you are, and that you get to spend the magical day with someone you love.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

More Chances to Win!

LDSWBR is running a multi-author book contest Countdown to Christmas. Hop on over to see what you can win, and sign up!

Last Day to Win!

Today is the last day to sign up to win in the Give Books Giveaway Hop!

To enter to win a copy of Geek Girl click here.

To enter to win a copy of Heart on a Chain click here.

To enter to win a copy of Immortal Mine click here.

Good luck to all!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan

I'm honored to be part of the book blog tour for Rachel McClellan's new release Fractured Light. I really loved this book! And I think her cover is just gorgeous. It's scheduled to be released February 8, 2012, but you can pre-order it from Amazon. Below is my official review.

Review of Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan

Llona isn't your typical teenage girl. She has snow-white hair, pale skin, an abundance of energy when the moon is full, and she can turn lights on and off just by thinking about it. She’s an Aura, a manipulator of light.

Forced to move every couple of years, Llona and her uncle Jake have chosen Bountiful, Utah as their latest hideaway. She’s hiding from the Vyken’s who killed her parents and are now after Llona.

Llona’s only friend is the strange May, who has secrets of her own. That’s why their friendship works so well, a shared understanding of what it truly means to be different. Christian, new at the school and drop-dead gorgeous pursues Llona, much to her frustration. She doesn’t feel she can get involved with anyone when she may have to run at any time—no matter how much she wants to.

Fractured Light follows Llona as her unwanted guardian reveals himself and the Vyken nears, made clear by the suddenly strange and creepy things that begin happening to and around Llona. She must learn to control and manipulate her Light, the gift that she now will have to use as a weapon to survive—well, that and the new fighting skills she’s been taught at the Dojo and by Christian, who wants her to survive and to protect her power that the Vyken craves, and will do anything to get.

McClellan weaves an enticing, supernatural tale of a reluctant heroine born with a gift that sometimes feels as much like a curse. Unexpected twists and turns in the story keep the reader guessing what’s going to happen next to disrupt this teenage girls life. Llona is a hero worth cheering for. Strong, determined, independent, and compassionate, Llona will do anything to protect those she loves, even at the cost of her own life. Fractured Light is a must read for fans of paranormal—or fans of any genre, for that matter. Don’t miss this exciting book from newcomer Rachel McClellan, the new force to be reckoned with in paranormal YA.

Want to find out more about Rachel? Then you'll probably find these links helpful:


Author Website
Author Facebook
Book Page

I highly suggest you get in line to read this book!!

See who else is on the tour here.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Come to the GEEK GIRL Official Launch Party!

It's finally here, the Launch Party for Geek Girl!

Eborn Books at South Towne Mall 12-3 pm
10450 S State St, Sandy, UT

If you live in the SLC area, please come join us. We will be having lots of fun giveaways - every 10 minutes in fact! You can see some of the swag we'll be giving away in the pic to the left. If your name is drawn, the choice is yours. We'll also have delicious cupcakes FREE from Totally Bodacious Cakes. You don't want to miss out on those! While you're out doing your Christmas shopping, stop by and enter, and have a cupcake on us.

Don't live in the SLC area? Don't count yourself out! I'm going to be having a giveaway here on the blog. Anyone who leaves their name and email in the comments below from now until midnight on Saturday will be entered in a drawing to receive your own swag!

If you can't make it on Saturday, I will be at the SLC Costco on Friday night, December 9, from 5-9 pm. 1818 South 300 West, Salt Lake City. Or you can see what other dates I'll be doing signings here.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

It's Official! Geek Girl is Released.

Today is the official release date for Geek Girl! Many of you know it's been available in a few places for a few weeks now, but as of today it's official.  Here's where you can get it online:

Amazon (Paperback)
Amazon (Kindle)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)
Cedar Fort (Paperback & Ebook)
My Website (Signed Paperback)


You can purchase it at Costco (SL and WVC stores) for the reduced price of $9.99
It's also at several of the Barnes & Noble bookstores

If you can't find it at your local book retailer, just ask! They can order it in for you.

Debra Chapoton, my friend and fellow author, hosts me for an interview on her blog today, Edge of Escape, in celebration of the release of Geek Girl. Thanks to Debbie for that!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Fresh Living

I was interviewed by one of the local TV stations, KUTV Channel 2 on their daily show called Fresh Living hosted by Debbie Worthen and Ron Bird. Click here to watch the interview.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Saturday Signing

Come and see me Saturday at Barnes & Noble for Christmas-palooza

Barnes & Noble
10180 S State St, Sandy, Utah
1-4 pm



with these authors:
Wendy Paul
Laura Powell
Melissa Lemon
Heather Frost

Be sure to save next Saturday, December 10 for the official LAUNCH PARTY!
We'll be having drawings every 10 minutes with lots of Giveaways, and a $25 Grand Prize Eborn Books Gift Certificate.
Must be present for the 10 minute drawings, but no need to be there for the Grand Prize drawing (I'll mail that to you)