Contest Alert!

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

I'm posting this a little later in the morning than I intended, but since I woke up later, then had to take care of some things, and finally had to make sure C.C. had put up the blog post about this before I could post it here.

C.C. Hunter has some fantastic news for you all. Born At Midnight is doing very well, and in October she'll release her next book in the series, Awake At Dawn.  But now here's a real treat:  she's revealed the cover for book 3, Taken At Dusk, and sent the cover art in the email she sent me. So, here's the cover art for all 3 books:



Book 1 of the ShadowFalls series by C.C. Hunter (available now)



Book 2 of the ShadowFalls series by C.C. Hunter (available October 2011)



Book 3 of the Shadowfalls series by C.C. Hunter (release date yet to be announced)

But that's not all...

As I mentioned yesterday, C.C. Hunter is running a brand new contest starting today (May 31, 2011) and ending on July 15, 2011.

This is a very unique contest in this way (quoting from an email C.C. Hunter sent me):  "I'm letting the winner chose a name for a new character. It can be their name, the name of their good friend. All they have go to enter is leave a comment on that blog post and let me know their name and email address."

This an opportunity for you, the reader, to be in on the action. For further details please go to C.C. Hunter's blog. And even if you're not entering the contest still take a look around.

What books are you looking forward to being released?

Have A Tantalizing Tuesday!

Characters, Contest, & Fun

Happy Memorial Day,

**Edits 11:29 a.m. (I remembered it was Memorial Day, but I should've posted this earlier):  Here's to all the USA's service men and women, both past and present, fallen or alive. Thank you for your service to the USA and God bless you and your families. (Note:  If I tried to do actual white, it wouldn't show up).


Everybody have a good weekend? My weekend was fairly nice. Mostly quiet, which was just fine with me.

For all you C.C. Hunter fans, tomorrow she's starting a very special contest. I'll reveal more details tomorrow, so be sure to come back tomorrow to see what those details are.

Hope everyone enjoyed Tess St. John's author interview on Friday. I had fun having her on my blog. She's an incredibly talented author. Be sure to watch for her Romantic Suspense novels. I'll also probably let you know about those releases here. 

Did you all follow the link to Tess St. John's blog on Friday and meet the hero of one of my novels? Monroe would be angry if he went through me interviewing him and you didn't go have a peek!

I'm still reading Georgette Heyer's Lady Of Quality and I'm enjoying it quite a bit. Annis is a very lively character and I just recently met Oliver Carleton and they're in the middle of verbally sparring with each other.

Recently I've gotten interested in the musical of The Scarlet Pimpernel. I've read the novel by Baroness Orczy, but only within the last week or so found out there was a musical based on the book. The musical also seems to have gotten some influence from the movie that was based off of Baroness Orczy's book and the sequels. The movie stars Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour. By the way, I do really like that movie and if the musical ever has a professional tour in my area again, I'll have to go see it.

What movies are you interested in these days?

Have A Marvelous Monday!

Friday's Winner

Happy Memorial Day Weekend,

Thank you to everyone who commented on Tess St. John's interview yesterday. Congratulations to Sarah, the winner of yesterday's drawing. Tess will be sending you a copy of her book soon.

Hope Everyone Has A Great Weekend!

Spotlight On Author: Tess St. John

Happy Friday All,

The drawing/contest part of this post is now closed...but please feel free to read the interview.

I got my days mixed up. This week has been nutty for me, so for some reason I thought next week was the 27th (even though yesterday was the 26th, I kept thinking for some reason I was posting this on the last day of the month). Anyway, I feel horrible I didn't have this up earlier...but at least I'm getting it up now.

Today is a special Author Interview Day. I'm going to call it "Mutual Admiration Day" because of this:  I've got Tess's interview on here today, and today she's got a guest blog post on her HER blog that I did! Below (after the interview) there's a link I provided to the guest blog post I did for Tess St. John's blog. There's a short part about writing fantasy/paranormal, then I do an interview with the hero of my novel, Surreal--his name Monroe Dubay and he's a man-beast lion...to check out what all that means, read the interview on here with Tess St. John, then after the interview click on the link provided below and go check out my post!

As you all know, Tess St. John is a friend of mine. We met when I was first getting interested in the NWHRWA. She was absolutely wonderful about welcoming me. We met [in person] at that year's Lone Star Conference and that sparked a friendship that has spanned over 2 years already. We became each other's Critique Partner (she's fabulous). She believes in me, encourages me and has helped me so much.

So please, give a warm welcome and applause to my dear friend, Tess St. John. CONTEST:  If you post your email address (or at least email it to me) I'll enter you for a drawing tonight. One lucky winner will get a copy of Tess St. John's book, Second Chances. I'll close the contest about 10:30 p.m. Central Time. **Edit as of 2:55 p.m. Central time:  If you have trouble posting a comment, email me and let me know you want to enter to win a copy of Tess St. John's book**

Me:  You write in Historical Romance, Romantic Suspense and Romantic Mystery genres. Do you have a favorite out of those that you enjoy writing the most?

Tess:  I think it depends on when you ask me! If I'm working on a historical, all I think about is how much I enjoy that. Then when I'm writing the contemporary romantic suspense/mystery I absolutely love that. So today, I love historicals!



Me:  Authors pull from all sorts of places for inspiration. Do you have a particular source of inspiration, or is it anything and everything?

Tess:  Since I see scenes when I write, I'm not sure where the inspiration comes from. I think it's just my blessed life, to be honest.


Me:  For Fun: What's your favorite color?

Tess: Red.


Me:  What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Tess:  Write. Write. Write. Then write some more. I believe classes are wonderful and critiquing others' work is educational, but unless you write, you'll never be a writer. And read everything you can get your hands on.

Me:  For Fun: Do you have a favorite book hero, and if so, who is he? (I know your husband's your favorite, but aside from him...someone from a book you read).

Tess:  I have so many! But if a gun was pointed at my head, I would have to say Cam Rohan from Lisa Kleypas' book "Mine Till Midnight".


Me:  What books are on the horizon for you to put out this year (and their genres)?

Tess:  I released "Emma's Chance" (a short story) and "Second Chances" (book one of my Chances Are Series), in April, those are historicals. I also hope to release "Don't Let It Show" and "Eyes of Jade" (books one and two of my Undercover Intrigue series)  this summer (note: Tess doesn't have an exact date for those releases, yet). Then before the end of the year I hope to have "Angel Eyes", "Eyes of a Stranger", and "Lyin' Eyes" (the rest of the Undercover Intrigue Series) out by the end of the year (if my health cooperates).


Me:  Where will your books be available?

Tess:  Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.


Me:  When you're not writing what's something you enjoy doing?

Tess:  Spending time with my family, playing pool, reading, cross-stitching.




Me:  Second Chances and Don't Let It Show are listed on your website as the first novels you're releasing. Can you tell us about them?


Tess:  "Second Chances" --Love that frees a heart - also captures it. Lady Emma Easton’s elopement to an elderly earl shields her from an abusive father, until her husband’s death leaves her vulnerable once again. Only one man can protect her—the earl’s trusted friend, Viscount Drake. After losing his wife, Lord Drake vows never to marry again. But his heart warms to the young widow he’s promised to protect. Emma’s love frees him from the darkness that’s consumed him. But now Drake must protect her from her father’s evil whims, or face losing her forever.


"Don't Let It Show" -- Attorney Gail Martin's life can't get any worse. Her client has been convicted, her law license suspended, and her inbox inundated with a strange riddle. But things start looking up when a handsome cop saves her from the press. Undercover FBI agent Sam Newton is in Houston to catch drug dealing cops while pretending to be one. His identity must be kept top secret, but his attraction to Gail can't be concealed or ignored. He's tried, repeatedly. As their love deepens, Gail confides she doesn’t believe the man in jail for her mother's murder is guilty. She and Sam investigate her mother's case, hitting nothing but dead ends. When tragedy strikes, Gail is left with only the email riddle, which leads her on a deadly quest for the truth about her mother’s life and death—if she can stay alive long enough to solve it.


Me:  What do you hope the future holds for you as a writer?

Tess:  Just that I can continue to write. I have two other historicals I hope to release in 2012 and a Reality Love Series in Outline form. I just want to write.


Me:  Anything else you'd like to add?

Tess:  Thank you, Bethany, for this opportunity to be interviewed! It wasn't as painful as I thought it might be! And thanks to everyone who stops by!  My website is http://www.tessstjohn.com

Thank you so much, Tess St. John, for doing this interview. Thank you everyone for your patience with me as I "get my footing" after a busy several days!

To check out the guest blog post I did on Tess St. John's blog, please click here.

Have A Fantastic Friday!

I Haven't Forgotten You

Happy Friday All,

Sorry I was gone on Thursday. No, I hadn't forgotten the blog, or you, my dear readers. I've been really busy this week and so blogging has fallen by the wayside. But today is not quite so busy.

Robin Badillo newest Blood Hunter book is now available on Amazon Kindle. She and her vampires are becoming quite close from the looks of things. She also has a non-vampire romance out called Whiskey Road.

Currently I'm reading Lady Of Quality by Georgette Heyer...the same book Kathy at Beadmore Designs used as inspiration for the last day of the Great Jewelry Giveaway. I haven't gotten very far into it, yet, but so far the character of Annis Wychwood is very spirited, as is one of my favorite Georgette Heyer female characters.

Right now I don't have any major plans for this weekend...there's a few things that might happen, but we have decided, yet.

So, what have you been up to and what do you have planned for the weekend?

Making Friends With Betsy

Happy Wednesday Everyone,

When I was growing up I read Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy Books: 

Betsy-Tacy

Betsy Tacy & Tib

Betsy-Tacy Go Over Big Hill

Betsy-Tacy Go Downtown

Heavens To Betsy

Betsy In Spite Of Herself

Betsy Was A Junior

Betsy And Joe

Betsy And The Great World

Years later, I found Betsy's Wedding and finally got to see Betsy happily married and settled.

I now own all the books, including Betsy's Wedding and have read them at least once through, if not more since I got them a few years back.

Growing up there were other series I got into, but I don't think I've read those series as much as I've read this one.

To me, there's something incredibly personal about the fact that the characters and events bear a strong resemblance to the author, her friends and events in the author's life. It's part of the appeal. You feel like these characters are real. You want to be their friends. You want so badly to walk the sidewalks of Mankato and visit Minnehaha Falls. Names and street names have been changed for the books, of course, but the similarities are still there. Some re-prints of the novels (such as some of the editions I own) even have the parallels between the author's life and that of her characters.

In any case, if you haven't read the Betsy-Tacy books I think you're in for a treat. The writing is straight forward and simple. The characters are fun and feel real. History comes alive (The last 2 books--Betsy And The Great World and Betsy's Wedding cover the beginning and the USA's entry into World War I). There's not a lot of suspense in these books, but I don't read them for the suspense. There's a certain something about them...I don't know how to explain. I just know that several of my sisters and I read them, loved them, and re-read them. And, I'd read them again, no problem.

Have you ever read a series that you've read so much that now the characters are like old friends?

Have A Whimsical Wednesday!

Getting On Pointe

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

How do you feel about ballet? Growing up, I took ballet lessons (on my demi pointes) for a few years. I wasn't great at it, but at the time I could pirouette pretty well. Anyway, it was fun while it lasted--first time in my life I felt truly graceful.

I've also seen a number of professional ballets over the years:  Swan Lake, Coppelia, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet and one where there was different kinds of ballets.

So, do you like ballet? If you've watched/enjoyed ballet, which ones have you seen?

Have A Thrilling Tuesday!

The Lone Star Shines

Happy Monday Folks,

I'm posting this way later in the day than I normally would, but there's several things going on in my life right now (not bad, just several things) so if I miss a day posting (or post later in the day), that's why.

The NWHRWA's Annual Lone Star Conference is still accepting early entries--early bird discount won't last much longer (early bird discount ends on May 25, 2011 at midnight).

Oh and writers/authors--the NWHRWA Lone Star Conference is in October!

Have A Merry Monday!

Book Love Affair

Happy Thursday All,

Some of my favorite books are ones that left me with a warm feeling in my heart and/or a smile on my face.
 
Here's a few of them:
 
Lesley Livingston with her Wondrous Strange trilogy (according to her blog she has a new release coming out July 2011)
Shanna Swendson with her Enchanted, Inc. books
Christie Craig with Shut Up And Kiss Me (She has a new release coming out August 2011).
 
Oh yeah and the list continues:
 
Jackson Pearce's As You Wish (She has a new release coming out August 2011, and one in sometime in 2012).
Suzanne Selfors Coffeehouse Angel (She had a new release in April--the book wasn't a children's book, by the way--apparently several authors contributed to the release that came out this past April. It's called Hotel Angeline: A Novel In 36 Voices).
 
Georgette Heyer's The Grand Sophy
 
Of course, I could name more. You see...I have a love affair with books. I consider them some of my best friends and constant companions.
 
I love books. I've loved them for years. From the time I was read to as a kid, to when I read to myself (and even when I could read to myself, I still enjoyed my Dad reading Cheaper By The Dozen by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey). I've been addicted to books.
 
My love affair included trips to bookstores and libraries. These sojourns into the wonderful places called bookstores and libraries are some of my favorite childhood memories. I even remember in my middle school years walking into this one bookstore and breathing in the scent of the place and all my cares and stresses just melting away. To this day, I still sometimes breathe in the scent of bookstores--particularly Barnes & Noble (hey the fragrance of a bookstore mixed with the aroma of coffee is addictive!)
 
What about you? What's your criteria for favorite books?
 
Have A Thriving Thursday!

Pirates, Suspense, Thriller, and Paranormal--Oh My!

Happy Wednesday All,

There's another new release on the horizon. Jennifer Bray-Weber  has her first pirate romance available on Kindle and Nook, as well as Smashwords. I haven't as yet read her novel, but I've heard bits and pieces about it, plus I've looked at her book trailers and it looks like a lot of fun.

Melissa Ohnoutka has been making the rounds, on Tess St. John's blog, Muse Tracks and Part 2, and on Wild, Wicked & Wacky, talking about her earlier release, Faithful Deceptions. (A really good Romantic Suspense, also available on Kindle and Nook and in-print on Amazon and in-print on Barnes & Noble).

Will Graham has made his new release, Street Heat, available on Kindle, Nook, and Smashwords. (Looks really good!)

Also, Paranormal Romance author, Robin Badillo has released a new novel in her Blood Hunter series entitled The Betrayal.

So, what are you reading now?

Have A Witty Wednesday!

Merrily We Sing Along

Happy Tuesday All,


So, I'm moving on from talking about quotable movies to show tunes. Why? Because I've got a song from the musical, Anything Goes playing in my head. ("And if this ditty, is not so pretty, at least it'll tell you how great you are."--You're The Top from Anything Goes).


Show tunes often play in my head. Either that or I'm singing them. I've been known to sit in the car, turn off the radio and start singing The Impossible Dream from Man Of La Mancha. ("This is my quest, to follow that star...")


One of the things that inspires me is the song This Is The Moment from Jekyll & Hyde. ("...destiny beckons and I never reckoned second best..."--see why I find it inspirational? Lyrics like that and the music just makes you feel you can do anything).


Some of my favorite songs come from 1776 (hey I told you in a previous post that my family can quote that movie). It's John Adams' song, Is Anybody There? ("They want me to quit, they say John give up the fight!")


So, what musicals/songs from movies do you like?


Have A Triumphant Tuesday!

Quite The Quotable

Happy Monday All,

I was watching one of the cable channels and it was saying Saturday they were going to show the movie Pretty In Pink. I love that movie. I had the VHS version of it, then my VCR broke and I haven't replaced the VHS version with the DVD yet.

There's just some movies that you hold onto, even twenty or so years later, you still love 'em. And can quote them.

A good example is The Princess Bride. I think my family can recite almost (if not the entire) movie. ("Chocolate helps it go down easier."--Valerie from The Princess Bride).

When I was growing up all it took to set me and my whole family quoting lines/songs from the musical 1776 was to say one line. ("Simple! Johnny here's obnoxious and disliked."--Richard Henry Lee, 1776).

Of course you can't forget Casablanca and "Here's looking at you, kid." (Humphrey Bogart's mannerisms help define the word "suave").

So what movies do you think are quite quotable?

Have A Memorable Monday!

Blogger, Suspense, And Whoo-Hoo!

Happy Friday All, Correction--I'm so embarrassed, I only realized I had put Thursday instead of Friday at around 9:30 p.m.! This was supposed to have been Thursday's post, but it didn't happen due Blogger being down, as of 11:08 p.m.

For about 2 days blogger was down for maintenance reasons. I was unable to sign in or update. I just now found out it's up and running and so I can finally get back to my Monday through Friday posting.

The other day I got an email in my inbox from a friend of mine saying he had put out on Kindle and Smashwords his new novel, Street Heat.

Will Graham has been a fabulous person to know for the last 2 years. I interviewed him last year (under the name Will Simon) where I talked about some of his other works.

He also was the one waiting not far outside the door after my first in-person pitch with an agent, offerring me encouragement and support. (Everyone I know who knows him thinks he's awesome, so it's not just me).

He gave a very educational talk last year on Hollywood and reality of cop/detective type shows with personality profiles and enough things to keep you up at night (you can see a little description of the talk if you arrow down the margins on the NWHRWA site).

In any case, he's a great writer and wonderful friend, and I hope any of you who like Thriller/Suspense will go check him out. I believe you'll find yourself wrapped up in a story that you'll be glad you read!

So whoo-hoo goes to Will and his new release! I wish him all the best.

Have A Fabulous Friday! <--Correction as per my edits in the beginning of the post as of 11:08 p.m.

She Takes The Cake!

Happy Wednesday All,

Awhile back I talked about what cookies I like and you all mentioned the ones you like. It's time for another treat...



This Cake was served at C.C. Hunter's launch party



Cake!

I'm a big fan of cake--although there are cakes I won't touch, and cakes I'm not especially fond of, but there are plenty I really like.

Baskin Robbins makes excellent ice cream cake. I have to say, my favorite is what I used to get on my birthday--a custom ordered cake:  World Class Chocolate Ice Cream (in my opinion the best flavor ever--you can find it listed on their classic flavors, I believe on page 2 or 3) next to Chocolate Cake. Talk about heavenly! (I need to have that kind of cake again).

Next on the top of my list would be chocolate cake with chocolate icing. You just can't go wrong. Moist, gooey, chocolatey--oh yes. Yum times ten.

In one of her Tea Shop Mystery novels, Laura Childs, has a receipe for a Apple Cinnamon Cake (I can't remember which book it was in, I don't have all my copies of her books on me) but it is delish! It's not hard to make, just takes time to cut up the apples. I've made this for several people (more than once) and always get compliments on it. (Laura already knows I think she rocks, and I adore her Tea Shop Mysteries, but thank you to her just the same!)

Another really excellent cake receipe is found in Joanne Fluke's Carrot Cake Murder This is by far the best carrot cake I've ever had (and I've had different kinds). It's very moist, and tasty (and I'm not a huge fan of Carrot Cake, and I love this cake). I leave out nuts (I don't much care for nuts and sometimes my stomach doesn't like them), but the receipe calls for fresh carrots. You put crushed pineapple in it. Next time you make carrot cake (or know someone who will) use this receipe--I can't imagine you'd be disappointed! (Everyone I've made this for loved it--including my husband who was convinced I couldn't make a carrot cake as good or better than his father's--Thank you, Joanne Fluke, for having this receipe and for fun mystery novels--prep time takes awhile, but trust me, it's worth it).

Here's cakes I don't care for (and probably won't get me to eat):

Coconut Cake--I hate coconut. Enough said.

Anything with merignue. I just can't bring myself to try merignue. It just sounds disgusting--beaten egg whites? Now, my husband likes merignue a lot and tells me I'm missing out--that's fine, other people can eat it, just please don't ask me to.

Not a fan of cakes covered in nuts.

Anyway, what are you favorite and least favorite cakes?

Have A Whimsical Wednesday!

It's Worth A Fortune

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

Does anyone remember the song If I Had A Million Dollars by Barenaked Ladies?

I can't remember when or how I was first introduced to this song, but it's a fun song.

So, how about if you had a million dollars? What would you do with it?

Of course there's the responsible things to do with a million dollars--pay off debts, and such like that.

Then there's the question of whether or not you give to charities, and how much.

But, suppose you answered all those questions and you still had quite a lot left; what would you do with it?

Maybe I'd go to Disney World. I've wanted to go, and I've never been able to. Or, perhaps I'd go to Germany and England, and Belgium (three of the countries my ancestors are from). Travel around seeing family and friends I don't see often. There's all kinds of possibilities.

So, what about you? What would you do with a million dollars?

Have A Tremendous Tuesday!

Back To Business

Happy Monday All,

Thanks for all the well wishes for my offspring. Offspring is on antibiotic and doing much better. Anniversary was fun and Mother's Day was lovely.

I feel like I'm still coming down off of last week's Great Jewelry Giveaway high. That was so much fun and I can't believe it's over! (Wah!) Oh well, there's other fun things coming up (although, unless Kathy at Beadmore Designs tells me differently, we won't be giving away anymore jewelry). By the way, just because the Great Jewelry Giveaway is over does not mean you can't go to Beadmore Designs and order something from Kathy. Please tell her you heard about her from Write By Bethany.

Now onto business. Today, I've got some special things to tell you about:

I got a friend who sells lovely Catholic (and there's some other not strictly Catholic things on there, too) gifts. Her name is Nance, and the website is called Visions In White. I've ordered several things from her. One was a Rosary for a nephew of mine in the Marines--really cool thing about this Rosary was that there was a medal on there that either said Marines on it or had a symbol of the USA Marines. This nephew of mine is serving in a dangerous place, and he took that Rosary with him. A niece and nephew of mine recently got their First Communions, so once again I ordered from this friend. (I was late ordering so the gifts aren't here, yet, but I expect they'll be lovely). Nance is awesome and I recommend emailing her to contact her. But I do recommend going to her website and checking out what she has. If you find something you like, you can email and see if she has them in stock.

Many of you who look in my blog margin will see that I have plugged this author numerous times--Melissa Ohnoutka. She wrote a Romantic Suspense entitled Faithful Deceptions which is just utterly magnificent. Seriously, this is just an awesome book. I thought I had read and handled suspenseful novels (I read Paranormals for crying out loud!) But I was unprepared for the fact that Melissa reaches in starting on page one, grabs hold of you and refuses to let go until the end. This is incredible work and she's one really cool person to boot. You check her out at her blog. Tell her I said hi. Oh yeah, she's available on Amazon (paperback copy), Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook. Ooo, and I just found out it's available in paperback through Barnes & Noble.

Recently I was looking for book 4 of this series I own--I own book 4, just put it somewhere and now I can't remember where I put it. But anyway, searching for this book reminded me how much I love the series and well, if you enjoy fantasy meets breezy type writing, then get your cursors clicking at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Borders --whichever bookstore you like best--and order your copy of Shanna Swendson's books--the series starts with Enchanted, Inc. Book 2 is entitled Once Upon Stilettos Book 3 is Damsel Under Stress and Book 4 is Don't Hex With Texas. They are totally awesome. I just love them. I've read them twice and I've fallen in love with Katie and Owen. It's fun, it's charming and I love it, love it, love it and well...you'd just have to read the books to see why!

So, what's everyone up to this week?

Have A Magically Marvelous Monday!

Friday's Winner

Hello Everyone,

Congratulations go to Jessica, Friday's Write By Bethany The Lady's Got Quality winner!

Thank you everyone for participating.

Happy Mothers' Day to all the moms!

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Offspring has gotten sick, so I get to spend my Friday night helping husband with that. My wedding anniversary is Sunday, so hopefully Offspring will be better by then so we can enjoy Mothers' Day and Anniversary happily.

Have A Wonderful Weekend!

The Great Jewelry Giveaway Friday: The Lady's Got Quality

Happy Friday All,

The contest portion of this post is closed, however, you may enjoy the rest of it :-)

Congratulations goes to Beth, who emailed me her entry, and is the winner of the Eyes Of Jade Bracelet & Earrings Set in yesterday's drawing.

Today is the last day of the Great Jewelry Giveaway. I've had so much fun hosting it and the comments have been very creative and imaginative with their usages of the contest words. So, I hope today to see that creativity and imagination alive and well for this, the last giveaway day for this particular contest.

Kathy of Beadmore Designs and I both share a love of Georgette Heyer's books. Ms. Heyer died in 1974, leaving a legacy of Regency Romances and Mystery novels behind. I have read that she often called "Queen Of The Regency".  I've read about 13 of her Regency Romances.

Kathy's favorite is Lady Of Quality (which I have not read, but it looks good). Lady Of Quality follows the friendship between Annis Wychwood ,who volunteers to chaperone a young lady named Lucilla. One of Lucilla's relatives, Oliver Carleton comes to Bath to see about Lucilla's new living arrangements with Annis. Annis and Oliver apparently hit it off, but Annis doesn't want to give up her independence. Will Oliver win Annis, or is he, a rake, just not right for this Lady Of Quality? (Each time I mentioned the title, Lady Of Quality, in the above paragraph I provided a link to a different bookstore where you can purchase the paperback version).  You can also get it on Amazon Kindle and on Barnes & Noble Nook.  You can get many other of Georgette Heyer's novels at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon.

Kathy made a lovely necklace to sponsor for today's giveaway in Georgette Heyer's name the necklace is called Lucilla:

Lucilla necklace

click here to see another photo of it on Kathy's Beadmore Designs website

Here's how you can enter to win the Lucilla Necklace (but careful, the contest word today is NOT Lucilla):

Either you can...

A.  Comment in the comment section. Be sure to provide your name and email address (I can't enter you without an email address, sorry). You must use the words "lady" and "quality" in a sentence to enter tonight's drawing. (Use your imagination. Get creative and have fun with it).

Or you can...

B.  Email me but you must use the words "lady" and "quality" in a sentence (Use your imagination. Get creative and have fun with it).

No anonymous entries. If you wish not to leave your name and email address in the comment section then you may send me an email with a sentence using the words "lady" and "quality".

Unless I'm told otherwise, International entries are welcome.

I'll be closing the contest at 10:00 p.m. Central Time. When that happens, I'll draw a winner, email them, and put up a special post announcing who the winner is.

If you have any further questions/comments please email me.

I hope you all have enjoyed this week as much as I have. Special thanks go to the following people:

Kathy of Beadmore Designs for her lovely workmanship and jewelry (you can purchase jewelry from Kathy by going to her website and contacting her through her email. She has many pieces available for sale, including the ones that were featured in this week's giveaway. She also makes lovely custom pieces).

C.C. Hunter (YA Paranormal)

Tea Trelawny (accent on the "e" in "Tea") (Erotica)

Tess St. John (Historicals, Romantic Suspense and Mysteries)

Thank you, all of you, for helping me make this Great Jewelry Giveaway possible and for their continued support and friendship.

Congratulations and thanks goes to all the winners:  Susan M. (Monday), Donna Marie (Tuesday), C.C. (Wednesday) and Beth (Thursday)...Friday's winner is yet to be determined.

Also, thank you so very, very much to all my followers and all those who participated. You all rock!

Be sure to enter today's drawing!

Have A Fairy-Tale Friday! 

Great Jewelry Giveaway Thursday: Jade Eyes Following Me

Happy Thursday Folks,

The contest portion of this post is now closed, but please feel free to enjoy the rest of it.

Congratulations goes to C.C. for winning Wednesday's drawing! Tea will be sending you the "Diamond & Ruby" Hidden Treasures Necklace.

The week marches on and so does the Write By Bethany Great Jewelry Giveaway author and jewelry pairings.

Thursday (today) features one of my critique partners, Tess St. John. Tess has written a Romantic Suspense called Eyes Of Jade. I've read the first 3 chapters of this novel (as one of her critique partners) and I'm chomping at the bit to read the rest of it. Unforunately, Eyes Of Jade won't be available until later this summer. Edit at 11:16 a.m. Central Time (Eyes Of Jade blurb!):   Sick of acting, Hollywood film and TV star Eve Knight plans to start life over in Houston, Texas. But before she can announce her retirement, repeated attempts are made on her life—in ways mirroring deadly scenes from her action movies. FBI agent Jacob Dane swore off love after his engagement ended in tragedy. He’s been assigned to Eve’s case because of the bizarre attempts on her life. Hiding her away from the world brings the two of them close. Very close. Agreeing to bait a trap for the would-be murderer, Eve puts on the performance of her life while Jake realizes if he fails to keep her safe—he’ll lose his heart. Again.

Tess St. John has a Historical Romance, Second Chances available. It's very well done (I've read it all the way through). Emma Easton married her husband to escape her the fate her father has in store for her--to be sold to the highest bidder as a wife. Harmon Easton offered Emma sanctuary and a caring home. However, old age catches up to Harmon, and Emma finds herself a young widow, with no real protection from her vengeful father. Drake, himself a young widower (after losing his wife in childbirth), was a good friend of Harmon and offers Emma help--however, he doesn't wish to marry again. As their friendship grows, so will a love they didn't expect. However, is that love meant to be? Do they really get a second chance? You can purchase Second Chances on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook, as well as on Smashwords.

Tess commissioned Kathy of Beadmore Designs to make a bracelet and necklace set. The Eyes Of Jade Bracelet & Earring Set is very striking...check it out:

Eyes Of Jade Bracelet & Earring Set <--Click here to see a better picture

Okay, here's how today's gonna work for you to enter to win the Eyes Of Jade Bracelet & Earring Set:

Either you can:

A.  Comment in the comment section (name and email address is a must). You must also include a sentence using the words "eyes" and "jade" (be creative/use your imagination and have fun with it!)

OR you can...

B.  Email me, but you must use the words "eyes" and "jade" in your email (be creative/use your imagination and have fun with it!)

No anonymous entries. If you wish to remain anonymous send your entry by email.

International Entries:  So far I haven't heard that there's a problem with accepting International entries, so unless I'm told otherwise, International entries are welcome.

I will close the contest at 10:00 p.m. Central Time. At which time, I will draw the winner. The winner will be announced on here on Friday's post.

If you have any questions or comments, please email me.

Have A Treat-Filled Thursday!

Great Jewelry Giveaway Wednesday: Finding Hidden Treasures

Happy Wednesday All,

The contest portion of this blog post is now closed. However, you can enjoy the rest of the post.

Yesterday's The Shadows Are Falling Jewelry Winner is Donna Marie! Congratulations to Donna Marie and I hope you enjoy the ShadowFalls #1 Necklace and Earrings Set.

Never fear, readers...the week continues and so does the author/jewelry pairings...

Tea Trelawny (accent on the e in Tea) has an erotic story out called Hidden Treasure: Lara Lacy inherits a Victorian home, a ghost and a possible treasure. But too many fake mediums have convinced her that anyone claiming to communicate with ghosts is a liar—including Lara’s inventive lover Nate Hoffmann. Of course, his seductive ways tempt her to change her mind. Stripped bare—in all ways possible—the lovers engage in deep exploration and eager discovery—of the physical and paranormal type.

Tea commissioned that Kathy of Beadmore Designs make her an antique looking necklace that's so exquisite you won't be able to help but feel gorgeous while wearing it. It's made to look like Rubies & Diamonds:



"Ruby & Diamond" Hidden Treasure Necklace <--click here to see a bigger photo of necklace



Hidden Treasure by Tea Trelawny cover

You can enter to win the "Ruby & Diamond" Hidden Treasure necklace one of two ways:


Either

A:  Post your name and email address in the comment section. You must use the words "hidden" and "treasure" in a sentence (get creative!) with your comment to qualify to be entered in the drawing.

Or you can...


B.  Email me an email but you must use the words "hidden" and "treasure" in a sentence (use your imagination!) in order to qualify to be entered in the drawing.

EDIT (3:15 p.m. Central Time):  I thought I had this in here, but Tea just sent me an email asking about when I was closing today's drawing.  I will be closing today's drawing at 10:00 p.m. Central Time. At that time I will come on here and put a comment in the comment section and officially close the contest. Then I will draw the winner and send the winner an email. I will announce who the winner of tonight's drawing is on Thursday's post. I apologize for any confusion.

A couple of things to note:

I will not be accepting any anonymous entries for the drawings this week. If you do not wish to provide an email in the comment section, then send me your entry by emailing me.

There's been questions about International Entries:  The answer is that it's up to whoever is mailing the prize. If you are OUTSIDE the United States Of America, then email me your entry and let me know what country you're from and I'll see what we can do if you win the drawing.

Any other questions? Send me an email :-)

Have A Wonderful Wednesday!

Great Jewelry Giveaway Tuesday: The Shadows Are Falling!

Happy Tuesday Everybody,

The contest portion of this post is now closed. Please feel free to enjoy the rest of the post and check out the author and jewelry combo and be sure to visit Kathy at Beadmore Designs to see how to purchase her lovely jewelry she has for sale.

Congratulations to Susan M. for being Monday's Great Jewelry Giveaway winner of the SURREAL Set.

But, nobody fret...the week's not over and I have more authors who are sponsoring more jewelry that you can enter to win.

Today's contest prize is sponsored by C.C. Hunter, author of the fabulous Born At Midnight, which is book 1 in the Shadow Falls Series.  A little about the series:  Kylie thought her life was normal, until she ended up with some weird stalker soldier dude, a camp full of paranormal teenagers, and Kylie is faced with one heck of an identity crisis. Who is she? Does she have any special powers? And just who is that stalker anyway? Start your journey with Kylie in Born At Midnight.

In honor of Born At Midnight, C.C. Hunter commissioned Kathy of Beadmore Designs to make this stunning necklace and jewelry set, nicknamed ShadowFalls #1, to giveaway in tonight's drawing:

ShadowFalls #1 Necklace & Earring set

Born At Midnight by C.C. Hunter

You can enter to win this beautiful necklace and earrings set one of two ways (and either way is fine, it's just you have two options):

1.  You can comment with your name and email address in the comment section below. Be sure to use the words "shadow" AND "falls" somehow in a sentence (be creative!) But you must use those words and you must include your email address.

2.  If you don't want to post publicly, you can send me an email but you must give me at least a first name and you also must use the words "shadow" AND "falls" in a sentence (use your imagination!)

Entries must be sent to me either in the comment section or through email by 10 p.m. Central Time. I'll put the names into a container and draw one winner. That winner I'll notify by email and then announce who it is on here on Wednesday's post.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me.

Have A Thrilling Tuesday!