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Bleeding Heart Blog Tour W!NNER Revealed!

I'm thrilled to announce the winner of my first ever virtual book tour winner...

Congrats to DONNA SIMMONDS!

I did a little bit of online stalking so that I can let you all know a little more about her. (Don't make that face at me...you would have done it, too.)

She is a book reviewer who posts at Donna's Blog Home. She reads Adult and YA books and loves paranormals but will also read other types if the story sounds interesting. She's willing to host guest blogs, blog tours, and giveaways, so please contact her if you are interested!

Her blog is a treasure-trove of reviews and contests so be sure to drop by and look around.

Best of all...she's a cat!

Just kidding. I just like her profile picture. =)

Donna, enjoy your care package...I hope you like all the goodies. Thank you for entering and following me and my book.

And thank you to everyone who entered. My gratitude goes out to each of you today so hearken to the karma I'm sending out!

Also, if you haven't done so, consider following by email. I'm having a Goodreads giveaway in both May and August so you'll want a reminder as we get closer.

Congrats again to my latest winner and best wishes to all!

Hey, Rafflecopter...Pick me a winner!

So, my kids are driving me batty today...becasuse they keep me DRIVING.

To school. From school. To band. To volleyball. To Scouts. To play practice. To home again.

And it's not always that simple because from time to time, they like to mix it up. The combinations are endless--to play practice, from play practice to the pizza shop for a slice, to band, then home.

Today, it's to the bus stop, back home because bus went early (FML), to school, then back home--and, when I turned into our lane, I got a text saying "I frgt gym clothes bring them pleeeeeeeeeeez" so it'll be back up to town.

Driving. Me. Batty.

So, between Mom-Bus runs, I popped into the blog and saw...the Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour Really Really Big Prize drawing has stopped accepting entries.

Know what that means?

It means...stay posted to find out who my big winner is! Someone is going to be very happy soon. Will it be you? Fingers, toes, eyes crossed!

I just have one request...please don't ask me to deliver it. :) I'm tired of driving.

Review of Bleeding Hearts: All the Fun Starts After Dark

Bleeding Hearts was reviewed by Brandy on her blog "All the Fun Starts After Dark." She gave it a wonderful review and shared her favorite quotes from the book.








Stop by and read her review of Bleeding Hearts!

Also, there are only TWO DAYS LEFT to enter the Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour THE END-OF-TOUR GIVEAWAY! Time is running out to get your karma in!

Tricia Schneider: Final Blog Tour Stop for Bleeding Hearts!

Wow...that makes me kinda sad...the LAST book tour spot. I can't believe it's over.


I'm happy, though, because it means I get to spend the day hanging out with my friend Tricia Schneider at her blog, Shadows of Romance. If the tour has to end, let it end with fireworks!

I met Tricia in the place where all lasting friendships are forged: at the mall. :) Actually, we were both working at the mall, although she definitely had the cooler job because she worked at Waldenbooks. I can't believe the store actually closed--there are no big bookstores left in our county so, unless you know of a great privately-owned bookstore, you have to drive almost an HOUR. I know that Amazon is just a website away, but it's just not the same. And so, we drive...


Tricia Schneider is an author of paranormal and gothic romance. Before the supernatural took possession of her pen, she worked for several years in a Waldenbooks store as Assistant Manager and bookseller. Since the closing of her beloved bookstore, she now writes full-time while raising her 3 young children. When she’s not writing romance, she’s busy researching all things paranormal, as well as the many fascinating time periods in history (just so she’s prepared in case she ever has the opportunity to travel back in time!). She lives with her musician husband and 2 neurotic cats in the coal country of Pennsylvania. And she’s a dedicated chocoholic.

Thank you, Tricia, for helping me end this tour the right way--with someone I genuinely call my friend. Writing is a solitary effort...but it doesn't have to be lonely. :)



Be sure to check out the other fantastic writers and bloggers who are so generous in their support of my first novel launch. Don't forget to enter the mini-contests on each day's blog stop and, of course,THE END-OF-TOUR GIVEAWAY! Time is running out to get your karma in!

Rabid Reads: Review of Bleeding Hearts

Today, the Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour stops at RABID READS!

Carmel at Rabid Reads is one of my favorite reviewers because she really digs into the books she reads. Her review style is a gorgeous raw reaction and I love reading her features.

Not only are we giving away a copy of Bleeding Hearts...we'll also give someone the chance to name one of my werewolves in the upcoming WOLF'S BANE!

Carmel is in her late twenties and lives North of Ottawa, Canada's capital. Trips to the city are a 5 day a week occurrence for her; she works at one of Canada's national museums. She lives with her guy and their two pooches Sasha and Trae.

Stop by Rabid Reads for Carmel's take on Bleeding Hearts!



Be sure to check out the other fantastic writers and bloggers who are so generous in their support of my first novel launch. Don't forget to enter the mini-contests on each day's blog stop and, of course,THE END-OF-TOUR GIVEAWAY!


Reminder: I joined Kindlegraph so that I can scribble my name on even MORE books. Hit me up anytime!

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour G!VEAW@Y!

You know, typing like that always gives me vertigo. :)

Did you know that I'm giving away a HUGE prize at the end of my blog tour?
We're nearing the end of the tour so, if you haven't thrown your hat into the reing, now is your chance! 
What's up for grabs? Hmm...let's see...So far, there's--

• A copy of Bleeding Hearts: Book One of the Demimonde

          (Signed and numbered, of course)

• Pink Narcissus Press Prize Pack: Rapunzel's Daughter, Court of Dreams, and WTF!

• A "Bleeding Hearts" necklace from the Victorian Trading Company

• Body Fantasies "Vampire" fragrance gift set

• Bleeding Hearts coffee mug (naturally)

• gift cards, bookmarks, swag, swag, swag!

Are you in it to win it? Jump into the Rafflecopter entry form and enter away. Some things (like Tweeting about the giveaway each day) will get you extra points so you can increase your odds of winning.

Never used a Rafflecopter form before? Don't be scared! you can sign in using your name and email address...then just follow the steps. Easy-peasy!

Calling all Reader Girls!

Laurie's my host today at the Reader Girls' blog www.readergirlsblog.com. Read an excerpt and see why I chose this special selection. Anyone in the mood for a little Panic at the Demivamp Disco?

I love the Reader Girls blog because it's a family affair...being a reader mom with reader kids of my own, I can totally appreciate this kind of book blog. It's truly an all-ages event there.

My husband is a huge fantasy fiction fan so it's no wonder we ended up with book worm kids. We're also all tech geeks--my husband and daughter prefer ebooks, even though my son and I are still of the analog variety. We're all computer nerds, though, so I always love it when my kids find something to do that doesn't require a power source.

This past week, the young lad was indoctrinated into the world of Dungeons and Dragons, courtesy of my brother-in-law's family. Uncle Jamie said the kid's a natural--he's been playing video RPG's for a long time and he took to the *gasp!* pen and paper version like a duck to water. Uncle is geekly proud of him.

It's been a nightmare ever since because my son is now in AD&D withdrawal. The poor kid is only eleven. He's too young for this torture!

To help him, my husband went into his "dungeon" and brought up all his own books. I laughed when I saw the dice--I'd forgotten that I embroidered a velvet dice bag for him, maybe twenty years ago. Funny--maybe my husband hasn't played since the late eighties, but he doesn't seem to have forgotten anything.

Well, at any rate, it looks like we'll now be doing D&D night once a month with Uncle Jamie's clan. Hopefully, it'll be completely off-line...I do prefer the analog books. =) Here's to family that read together, that enjoy books together, and that walk hand-in-hand with imagination together.

Be sure to check out the other fantastic writers and bloggers who are so generous in their support of my first novel launch. Don't forget to enter the mini-contests on each day's blog stop and, of course,THE END-OF-TOUR GIVEAWAY!

Bleeding Hearts Reviewed on For The Love of Reading!

Niina C of  For the Love of Reading reviews BLEEDING HEARTS and hosts a giveaway...enter anytime until April14th!

Niina is a vegetarian and smoke-free blogger/graphic designer/photographer, who lives with compassion and kindness... and is known to have a dirty sense of humor. ;)

She enjoys reading and reviewing paranormal romance, cowboy romance, science fiction romance, romantic suspense and historical romance of any heat level.

Stop by her gorgeous blog and read why I lost a half-star in her review—all I can say is "But I had to be true to the characters!" no matter what I might have wanted. *grin* I loved Niina's reaction to my story and I hope you will, too. Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway on her page!

Be sure to check out the other fantastic writers and bloggers who are so generous in their support of my first novel launch. Don't forget to enter the mini-contests on each day's blog stop and, of course,THE END-OF-TOUR GIVEAWAY!


Reminder: I joined Kindlegraph so that I can scribble my name on even MORE books. Hit me up anytime!

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour: Final Week!

What a long, strange trip it's been. =) And I loved every minute of it!

I can't believe this is the last week. I've been eating, sleeping, breathing blogs for nearly two months—which is a definite change from my writing habits. Before my tour, I blogged whenever I had news or a blog hop or a need to write something that would have no other home. This past month has been a total one-eighty from all that.

I think the most interesting thing I've learned from touring is not about me but about the job dedicated book bloggers do. I've met so many interesting and devoted book bloggers whose love for books drives them to spend countless hours reading and writing about the books they love. I can see how it would be a full-time job but most fit it in around their daily responsibilities somehow. Their efforts are enviable.

Then there are the authors who give some of their precious time to blogging and reviewing—and they are the quintessential multi-taskers: day job + writing + blogging. That's the situation I found myself in these past few weeks and I gotta say: ladies, I admire your stamina. This is exhausting work! J

Even though it's been a challenge, I do not regret a single minute of it. I've made new friends, I've found new blogs to read, I've met new authors with amazing stories to tell, and I've grown as a writer.

Thank you, everyone. You made me a better person.

The line-up this week is fantastic—read on to see who my play dates are!

MONDAY

Niina C of For The Love Of Reading will review Bleeding Hearts and host a giveaway... Be sure to visit her at http://niinas-reading-and-reviewing.blogspot.com


WEDNESDAY

Laurie's my host at the Reader Girls' blog www.readergirlsblog.com. Read an excerpt and see why I chose this special selection.

THURSDAY

Carmel of the howl-worthy Rabid Reads will review Bleeding Hearts at her blog www.rabidreads.ca Want to become namesake to a Were from the Books of the Demimonde? Enter this special giveaway!

SATURDAY

Friend and fellow author Tricia Schneider, host of the Shadows of Romance blog (http://www.shadowsofromance.blogspot.com) helps me wrap-up the tour with a look of what lies ahead in the Books of the Demimonde.

Be sure to check out thes other fantastic writers and bloggers who are so generous in their support of my first novel launch. Don't forget to enter the mini-contests on each day's blog stop and, of course,THE END-OF-TOUR GIVEAWAY!

And keep Truckin', folks... :)


Reminder: I joined Kindlegraph so that I can scribble my name on even MORE books. Hit me up anytime!

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour Stops At Sapphyria's Book Reviews!

We're wrapping up another week of the Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour...

So many great stops on this leg! If you're just joing the tour you can look at this past week's schedule and the entire tour so far.

This week, I was interviewed via phone for the first time by my hometown newspaper. If you've never been interviewed over the phone before, I can now offer advice: if the reporter stops typing, you're talking too much. :D

It was a fun and terrifying experience and I can only hope on Easter Sunday when the piece is printed I find a golden egg and not a rotten one.
Today I'll be at Sapphyria's Book Reviews! She'll be reviewing Bleeding Hearts  as well as letting me share a guest post.

Be sure to check out thes other fantastic writers and bloggers who are so generous in their support of my first novel launch. Don't forget to enter the mini-contests on each day's blog stop and, of course,THE END-OF-TOUR GIVEAWAY!

Reminder: I joined Kindlegraph so that I can scribble my name on even MORE books. Hit me up anytime!

Interrogated by Pink Narcissus Author Stuart Sharp...and Survived!

Meet fellow Pink Narcissus Press author Stuart Sharp when I stop by for a chat at http://www.stu-stusplace.blogspot.com today!

Sharp is the author of the comedic fantasy novel Court of Dreams...

Life is difficult enough when you're getting ready to head out into the real world and your relationship is falling apart at the seams. It doesn't get any easier when you fall sideways into a fantasy world populated by vicious princesses, roving nightmares, and figments of your imagination, all embroiled in the post-war politics of an expansive battle between dimensions. Join unlikely hero Thomas Greene on his comical journey through the Court of Dreams, a hidden world filled with the magic and the weirdest assortment of enemies and allies imaginable.

See Sharp's book on Goodreads!

Stop by Stu's place for a Sharp interview. Geddit? Sharp? Okay, not funny. Hey, he's the humor writer...not me.

And don't forget...still time to enter the blog tour contest!

Sidney Bristol and Laurie J Host Bleeding Hearts today

Am I the only one who hears "Hump Day" and immediately visualizes a train?

Okay, so I totally understand if you don't get the train part. Not everyone has the good fortune to be born a Steamtown Baby. Just to make sure this blog doesn't lose its all-ages rating, I'll take all the fun out of this picture. 

Wednesdays are cool enough without adding humps to them... Especially when it's a Wednesday I get to spend with two fantastic bloggers.


Fellow Triberr blogger and paranormal fanatic Laurie Jenkins loves excerpts and giveaways--and I'd never disappoint her. Stop by for a sneak-peak of Bleeding Hearts as my main character Sophie gets tested for oracular powers at the gathering of the Demivampire Conclave…

…followed by a guest post and prize over at Sidney Bristol's website!

Be sure to check out the other stops along the tour for other posts about Bleeding Hearts and be sure to enter the huge end-of-tour prize package!

Good luck to everyone who enters and thanks for celebrating my new book with me!

So...Happy Wednesday, everyone. Do Not Hump. Just read. :)

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour: Query Tracker Blog and Robin Badillo!

We're starting this week off right with a Two-Fer.

Shouldn't we start more things off with a Two Fer? Like, Starbucks would taste so much better if they handed you two cups instead of one. And what about BOGO sales? I say buy one, get TWO free. And payday? I wouldn't mind two paychecks. (Shoot, sometimes I feel like I wouldn't mind ONE. :) Always overworked and underappreciated.)

This Zen of Two-Fer has been proven long ago when they started selling awesome shoes in PAIRS. The rest is history. Let's learn from it, people.

Today's blog tour is a Super Two-Fer:

First, an interview with Carolyn Kaufman on the Query Tracker blog...

 ...then I'll share an excerpt with Robin Badillo on her smexy blog!

Carolyn is my good friend from Query Tracker. She indulges my need to ramble and allows me to vandalize the Query Tracker blog a few times a month. I love being part of the QT team because I'm really excited about helping other newbie writers find their way. After all, it was the folks at QT who helped me get to where I am today...and I believe in paying it forward. Without QueryTracker, I may never have found the means--or the courage--to get my book out on submission.

I met Robin when I won her book in a TBR contest earlier this year. Later, I saw she was one of my Triberr mates...and contacted her about a guest spot on my tour. She was absolutely wonderful! (And I LOVE her cheesey sense of humor.) My relationship with Robin is a great example of how new writers can network with others...and how they can develop new friendships, too.

Thanks to both these great ladies for being today's hosts on my tour. Please stop by the blogs and show a little comment luv!

Don't forget...enter the Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour Giveaway. Wanna get lucky? You gotta get your karma in...

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour…Week Three!

Ready for another week of book touring? I am! Helps that I'm still bouncing full of squee energy from my recent Reader's Choice Award from GraveTells PNR News and Reviews. Squee with me!
We have a great line-up and I can't wait for the weekend to be over. (Wait…that sounds wrong, doesn't it?)



MONDAY

The week starts with a double-header: first, an interview with Carolyn Kaufman on the Query Tracker blog...

 ...then I'll share an excerpt with Robin Badillo on her smexy blog!


WEDNESDAY

Fellow Triberr blogger and paranormal fanatic Laurie Jenkins loves excerpts and giveaways--and I'd never disappoint her. Stop by for a sneak-peak of Bleeding Hearts as my main character Sophie gets tested for oracular powers at the gathering of the Demivampire Conclave…

…followed by a guest post and prize over at Sidney Bristol's website!


THURSDAY

Meet fellow Pink Narcissus Press author Stuart Sharp when I stop by for a chat at http://www.stu-stusplace.blogspot.com


FRIDAY


We wrap up the week when I guest-blog at Sapphyria's Book Reviews! She'll be reviewing Bleeding Hearts later in the Spring, too.

Be sure to check out these fantastic writers and bloggers who are so generous in their support of my first novel launch. Don't forget to enter the mini-contests on each day's blog stop and, of course, THE END-OF-TOUR GIVEAWAY!

New this week: I joined Kindlegraph so that I can scribble my name on even MORE books. Hit me up anytime!

Reader's Choice March 2012...Thanks to all of you!

I was so excited to find I was eligible to compete for Grave Tells News and Reviews...and I'm glad to say that excitement was contagious enough to spread. Thanks you all of you who voted...I won!

*sigh* Isn't it shiny?

I am humbly grateful to everyone who voted because this poll was a real nail-biter. I was up against a multi-pubbed author with a huge fan base...and here I'm a debut, less than a month out on the market. How can a girl even compete?

But, you guys...you  took the time to click on the link and mark off my name in a simple act of kindness. Just want you all to know it means the world to me.

Not just because you helped me win this awesome shiny thing.

It means the world to me because it makes me feel like I'm not talking into a void, after all. It makes me feel better about putting my book out into the world because it has you in it. I would have hated for something so near and dear to me going out into a hollow void where it would be alone.

But it has you. :)

Thanks for voting and making me feel happy about SO MUCH MORE than a nifty graphic.

Namaste.