Tag: giveaway

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Mistletoe Madness Blog Hop

HolidayGiveaway2012 copyI love to hear about different people’s holiday traditions, especially at Christmas time.  Some traditions are pretty basic, like putting up the Christmas tree, but I love to learn about other cultures and even just other families’ celebrations.

I’d never heard of king cake until we lived in Texas.  I didn’t know people could buy their own portable snow blowers and engine block heaters until we lived in Minnesota (and snow is almost always a part of the holiday season there!).

I’m sure most of you would be surprised to hear that one year my family put the litter box under the tree.  It wasn’t a tradition we WANTED to keep… but the cat kept leaving “presents” beneath the tree and it was easier to clean up that way!

What I really find fascinating is how people might celebrate the holiday season in outer space.  If you were stranded on an ice planet… I suppose you’d probably be pretty sick of White Christmas.  Aliens might think it’s strange to put a live tree in your living room and hang lights on it.  Or maybe not.  Maybe they live IN the tree and always have lights hung…

The “what ifs” send my writer brain buzzing.  So tell me, what wonderfully bizarre holiday traditions can you think of — or just tell me about one of your traditions.  Commenters will be entered to win a $20 gift certificate to their choice of online book retailer (B&N, Amazon, Samhain, Carina, etc.)

Lots of prizes are available – find the other sites here!

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Make Me Write the Book – Part 1

Great minds think alike – I see that Lynn Viehl is planning a similar blog event with Tell Me What To Write 10.

As part of The Zombie Billionaire’s Virgin Witch release this month (all proceeds in 4th quarter 2012 are going to Joplin Recovery), I thought it’d be fun if you guys get to help me decide what the next Zombie Category Romance should be.  (Caveat:  I have to finish Lord Regret’s Price before I can write this, but I’ll be using NaNoWriMo to work on both if need be!)  There are soooooo may fun titles to warp.  I mean, play with.

While I was searching for stockphotos for Yiorgos’s cover, I stumbled across an image that really spoke to me.  I knew I could do something fun with it in the ZCR world, but I wasn’t sure what.  The possibilities were endless.  So I decided to bring you guys in on the fun and let you help me define which story I would write.

The first step was to commission Silviya to create another incredible cover.

Oh, all that red hair.  That flirtatous attitude.  She’s planning something very, very wicked, don’t you agree?

No Greek tycoon zombie for her.  No, I decided she was involved with an Egyptian (or some made up Middle Eastern) mummy.

She’s even wearing a large ring.  I’m sure she’s the head of her family.  That means she’s a very powerful witch.

But again, the possibilities are endless.  What are her powers?  Is she cursing the hero… or is she going to break a centuries old curse and free him?  Is the revenge hers… or his?

You decide! 

First up, we’ll work on the title.  I have several possibilities in mind that I’ll list below.  Vote for your favorite by making a comment on this post before Oct. 15th (or feel free to write in your best suggestion in the comments).  The title with the most votes wins!

Prizes:  in two parts.

1. Anyone who comments will be entered to win a Hope for Joplin T-shirt I’m having printed by BigfishTees.  They raised over $170,000 for Joplin by selling these shirts!  I’ll ship this shirt anywhere in the world.

2. For the commenters who voted for the winning title, I’ll draw one name out of the hat.  You’ll be listed in the acknowledgements of this currently untitled book.

Here are the possible titles we can play with.  Again, if you have a better idea, throw it out in comments.  To vote, comment on this post with your favorite title!

1. The Merciless Mummy’s Revenge

2. To Love and Curse

3. A Passionate Curse

4. Beauty and the Mummy

5. The Vengeful Mummy’s Secret Baby

6. The Mummy’s Captive Witch

(Don’t forget, you can still enter to win a $25 gift certifcate too.)

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Zombie Romance Giveaway

Why am I so fascinated with zombie romance?

The first time I explored the idea of “undead” romance was several years ago in now-defunct Drollerie Press’s chat.  We always had such a blast talking about all things horror, and we got to talking about how hilarious it would be if someone wrote a zombie romance.

I mean think about it.  If someone’s dead, how can you possibly work out a HEA?


The challenge of it fascinated me, and then Deena threw down the gauntlet.  She challenged me to write one.  I accepted.   :mrgreen: That story is still available for free (click on the thumbnail to download a pdf, or other formats are available at Smashwords).

So I guess Zombie Category Romance was only inevitable.  I love the idea of warping traditional tropes.  That’s why I take Regency tropes… and twist them into Jane Austen Soap Operas where ladies rule instead of the men.  Now I’m taking billionaire alphaholes and making them zombies.

But it’s not easy.  I mean, to make it romance, there has to be more romantic elements than horror elements.  So there has to be a REASON for the hero to be a zombie, and it can’t be too disgusting.  e.g. no rotting flesh hanging off the bones while he eats braiiiiiiins.

So how could I come up with a zombie hero that’s not disgusting? That’s where the magical elements come into play.  Instead of a zombie apocalypse caused by a virus, the hero is simply cursed.  It’s not a widespread disaster.  There’s no need to hole up in a farmhouse with every gun you can find.

In fact, most of the time Yiorgos looks perfectly fine.  Only a handful of people know what happens when he takes off the signet ring he won from Emile Remy along with his restaurant.  He wears the ring the entire time he’s with Clare, except for one time she tries to use her powers to help him, searching for a clue to the curse.

He even eats normal food, not brains.  Which is a very bad thing for him, because Clare is a kitchen witch and she makes one mean chocolate cake.

So I came up with a few cheesy tag lines that were more jokes than anything.  My favorite that I didn’t use:

Come for the braiiiins.  Stay for the romance.

*laughs*  I promise.  NO BRAINS!

Remember all procceds in 4th quarter 2012 from The Zombie Billionaire’s Virgin Witch will go to Rebuilding Joplin.

To celebrate my first zombie category romance release, I’m giving away a $25 gift card to any online book retailer (AMZ, B&N, etc.)  Simply comment on this post by Oct. 10th midnight (CST) and tell me your favorite zombie movie.  This giveaway is open to anyone on the planet, even if you’ve won something from me before.

And stay tuned – I intend to giveaway several more prizes this month as we get closer to Halloween!

Anyone willing to review or rate The Zombie Billionaire’s Virgin Witch – email me at joelysueburkhart AT gmail DOT com with your desired format, and I’ll send you a review copy.  Thank you!

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Save An Ent Artwork

I loaded the artwork to the original giveaway post, but I don’t know if people are going back to look.  Don’t forget, too, that I’m adding ongoing blog posts to that entry.  I’ll accumulate all comments from all guest blogs listed in that entry if you want more chances to win.

Reviews or ratings anywhere online can get you another entry – just post the link in comments so I can find it.

Aren’t these cute?  My thanks to S. J. Collins for creating such fun Ents!

 

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Save An Ent – Read An Ebook Giveaway

Since Tecun arrives 8/6, I’m going to celebrate ebooks the entire month!  I’ll be doing several guest posts again throughout the blogosphere, so this entry will be updated as those links become available.

What’s up for grabs:  WINNER’S CHOICE EREADER up to $200 (USD) value.

 

 

  • Love the one-click buy at Amazon and want to upgrade to a new Kindle Fire?
  • Have you been lusting after the Nook GlowLight?
  • Or maybe the Kobo Vox is more your style.

The winner picks whichever eReader you want.  I will ship internationally, but please make sure the device you select will work in your country and that I’m allowed to ship it there without violating any customs regulations.  I do not retain names or email addresses after the giveaway closes.

How to enter:

  • Comment as many times as you want on this post through Aug 31st, midnight CST.
  • Comment as many times as you want on any of the guest posts I’m doing the month of August (I’ll add the links to this post).
  • Rate or Review The Bloodgate Warrior on any online book site and post a comment here with the link.
  • Post about this giveaway on your own blog or website and make a comment on this post with the link.  (A cool giveaway icon is coming soon!)

I’ll accumulate a spreadsheet of everyone who comments throughout the month on the above posts and use Random.org to select the winner on Sept 1st.  The winner will have 3 days to respond.  If I’m unable to reach the winner, I’ll pick a new name until I have a contact.

To get the comments started:  are you an ebook lover, a possible convert to electronic reading, or a take-my-paperback-from-my-cold-dead-hands reader?

Comment at these guest posts for an extra entry:


Artwork courtesy of S.J. Collins

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Yours to Take Giveaway

In honor of Vicki’s book, YOURS TO TAKE, I’m offering a $100 gift certificate to any online book retailer of the winner’s choice.  You can tell me to split it up among stores too, so if you’d like $50 at Samhain and $50 at Amazon, or $100 at B&N — whatever you want!

To enter, comment on this post ONLY before midnight CST, May 21st.  I’ll be using “Pick Giveaway Winner” to randomly select the winner from this post.  Anyone on the planet can enter, even if you’ve won something from me before.  Multiple comments are encouraged!

Ways to enter:

  • Just throw your name in the hat with a generic comment.
  • If you’ve read any of the Connagher books, I’m considering writing Mama Connagher and Ty’s book.  How do you think they met?  Anything outlandishly funny or crazy you think of about them?  The wilder the better!  Let’s have fun with this!  If I use any of your ideas, I’ll include you in the dedication and acknowledgements.
  • Rate or review any Connagher book anywhere online and post a comment containing the link to your review (one link per comment if you want to maximize your chances to win).  Pre-existing reviews are fine – but you have to go get the link and comment here.  Good or bad reviews, I don’t care.

If Hurt Me So Good breaks 20 Amazon reviews, I’ll also add another $50 gift certificate!

If Yours to Take breaks 20 Amazon reviews, I’ll add another $50 gift certificate as well!

Thank you for helping me celebrate Vicki’s release!

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Another Guest Post, Review, and Giveaway

Today, I’m at BlackRaven’s Reviews talking about what inspires me to write.  Stop by for a chance to win a copy of Yours to Take before it releases tomorrow!

Also, BlackRaven gives Yours to Take 4.5 Ravens:

Yours To Take is a well-written, tantalizing story with engaging characters who have depth, explosive passion, raw emotions and desires, and scorching hot sex that will send shivers down your spine.  The BDSM scenes are intense and sensual, while the love scenes are endearing and everlasting.  There were times that I simply wanted to weep for these enigmatic characters who were struggling to find their Happily Ever After.  Ms. Burkhart has penned an enticing story with sensual, explicit BDSM scenes and heartfelt love that you don’t want to miss.

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Yours to Take Giveaway, Review

For a fun interview and a chance to win an early copy of Vicki’s Yours to Take, head over to Simply Ali’s blog.

Also the first review is up!  Miranda at Joyfully Reviewed says,

I found Vicki’s journey in Yours to Take to be intense and compelling.  She is really discovering a side of herself she didn’t think existed or wasn’t willing to recognize.  There is something powerful about discovering yourself as a sexual being and finding what you need in bed makes the act more satisfying.  …  Yours to Take is a scintillating tale about pushing boundaries and finding love.

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The Big RT Swag Giveaway

Open to anyone on the planet, as long as you’re patient with me until I get to the post office.

I have about 50 pounds of combined free books and swag from RT 2012.  NO I’M NOT KIDDING (the picture is only one night’s haul).  I have the FedEx bill to prove it, at least for the 25 pounds of books that cost a small fortune to ship home from the hotel.  At the airport today, I had to strip another 25 pounds of stuff out of my monster suitcase to get under the 50-lb limit, and most of it was swag that I then had the pleasure of hauling through the airport myself.

I have ink pens.  I have pins/buttons.  I have BOOKS out the WAZOO.  I have even more bookmarks, trading cards, and postcards.  Some of it’s signed.  Some of it has cool little gadets attached.  Some of it is adult in nature (like the pecker tape.  *snickers*).

I’m going to bag up all of these goodies and send them to those of you who’d like a taste of RT.  Just drop me an email (joelysueburkhart AT gmail DOT com) and tell me what kind of swag you’d like along with your snail mail addy.  (e.g. if you collect buttons, let me know.  Or if you’d really like some sexy EC playing cards!)

Right now, I think I have enough to give everyone at least one book and some cool swag, unless a whole bunch of you email me.  All I ask is you go out to Amazon, B&N, GoodReads, etc. and rate/review to spread some book love!

(Open until I run out of swag!)

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Blood and Shadows Series Feature Event

This weekend (April 5-8) I’ll be at The Forbidden Bookshelf spilling everything I can about the Blood & Shadows series, specifically The Shanhasson trilogy.  There will be excerpts and lots of background/behind the scenes information about the characters and world, plus a giveaway!  Details here.