April Blog Event coming April 1st to a blog near you:)

A TISKET A TASKET, PUT ROMANCE IN YOUR BASKET

Spring is in the air! Bees are buzzing. Children anxiously await the big morning where they can graze on candy all day. What about mom? We've got a treat for you! Come join a group of romance authors in celebration of spring. Enter to win a prize a day as well as enter to win the grand prize. All you need do is begin at Silver James' blog on April 1st. Silver will host the day's contest and provide the link to the next day's location. Don't forget to enter to win the grand prize! Here's the dirt...

A TISKET A TASKET, PUT ROMANCE IN YOUR BASKET Grand Prize:
To enter to win prizes from the authors donating treasures to the grand prize (see each day's post for what an author is donating to the grand prize), find the four Easter eggs in the A TISKET A TASKET, PUT ROMANCE IN YOUR BASKET blog event.



You will be searching for the pictured Easter egg. Just visit all of the authors' websites, locate the 4 eggs, make a list of their locations by pasting the urls to the website pages in an e-mail, then send the entry to happyendings2007@aol.com by midnight CST on May 1st, 2009. The winner will be randomly drawn and announced May 2nd at http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com. Tip #1, subscribe to http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com to learn if you're the winner! And don't worry. If you start in on the blog event late, just head back to Silver James' blog on April 1st at http://www.silverjames.com/ to begin your website search for the Easter eggs. Don't miss the fun! See you next to the burgundy tulips.

Christmas Sleigh Ride Contest is now running...

JUMP ABOARD OUR CHRISTMAS
SLEIGH RIDE!

SEE THE SIGHTS.

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC OF THE SEASON.

AND NAME THAT CHRISTMAS CAROL!

This is your chance to win a prize a day through Christmas Eve and one grand prize...
a $75 Wild Rose Press gift card.

Are you getting an e-reader for Christmas?

Well, what better than to fill it with e-books from sweet to erotic and contemporary to darkest sensual paranormal!!!

How do you begin this incredible journey?

Each day, the link to the next blog destination will be posted. But, hey! you want to enter to win the grand prize, and you're late to the game? We've experienced a few bumps since the start. So, I've posted the blog locations from day one:

Nov 29 http://plparker.blogspot.com/
Nov 30 http://lynnreynolds.blogspot.com/
Dec 1 WRP at http://thewildrosepress.blogspot.com
Dec 2 http://michelehart.blogspot.com/
Dec 3 Two blogs today!-- http://www.freewebs.com/teriwilson/terisblog.htm and http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com
Dec 4 Roni Adams at http://thewildrosepress.blogspot.com

To enter to win the grand prize, you make a list of all the Christmas carols and submit the list as instructed. With 28 prizes, what have you got to lose? So come on jump on the sleigh and take a fun-filled sleigh ride right up to Christmas. The hot chocolate and cookies are free as well the great prizes.

Have fun!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Dayana

Well, its Election Day! Get out there and VOTE! In the meantime, I have a very special guest today...

Please welcome Lady Vampire 2U otherwise known as Lady V to her friends. And I am so glad she considers me 'friend' The Queen of Darkness, herself, here she is!

Good morning, Dayana! Thank you so much for inviting me here to blog with you today. It’s a real honor because I am pretty new to blogging. Or taking blogging serious, anyhow. Although, I have had my blog up for a few years, it was in a pretty bad state. The truth was, I just didn’t take blogging seriously and my posts didn’t have that draw that seems so prevalent in others. There are some great bloggers like yourself and sad ones, unkempt and inactive ones, like mine was. And because my passion was not in the posts, I would go months between logging on to update it or post something new. Friends and family came by my site, of course, but just for moral support.

What was I doing online while I neglected my website? Entering contests!

I am huge contest fanatic, and I search the internet for contests constantly, especially those with books or bookstore gift cards as prizes. While I’m entering these contests, I was constantly emailing my fellow contest lovers with the locations of my finds. And then suddenly, it just hit me that my life could be a thousand times easier if I just posted all these locations in one place. My blog was the answer. One friend told another about my blog and suddenly I was busy posting any contest or giveaway I could find of interest. My blog suddenly became fun to update. And I really enjoyed the people who visited then came back to tell me of their wins after signing up for one sweepstakes or another through my blog. I realized that winning a contest was fun but I got a lot more satisfaction out of helping others win. And that’s how my blog and it’s slogan “All contests all the time” was born.

When people ask me if I enter all those contests and sweeps I post about, I tell them the truth. Yes. But the real prize is helping others win as I said. I enjoy promoting authors and their books. I’ve been lucky enough to be contacted by several authors who liked that I blogged about their contests. Do I post about the contests for extra entries in contests? Sometimes, but not very often. The truth being I was going to post it on my blog anyhow so why not get another entry into a contest. And when I win, I do share. Friends and family share my winnings. I give away books and different things all the time. Just last month, in October, I ran my first online contest on my blog and gave away five prizes. Then a few days ago, I teamed up with a fellow blogger and friend online, Crystal Adkins, for my first giveaway with a friend. In December, I plan to run another giveaway so I hope anyone reading this and new to my blog will come back to enter that contest.

Thanks again, Dayana, for having me here today. And in appreciation to those of you who stopped by to read this post, I’m giving away a brand new copy of Overnight Male by Elizabeth Bevarly to a lucky commenter. Just post and tell Dayana and I what the best prize was you ever won online. If you’ve never won anything, then let us know what you would really like to win if you could. And don't lament money because heck, we could all use more of that!

Thanks for dropping by.

Lady V
Lady Vampire's Lair

The Week in Recap and a chance to win a FREE download of Curse of the Marhime:)

Good Sunday Morning All!

Hope everyone is well and anticipating next week's array of interesting guests after the very informative week we've had this past week. I don't know about you, but I've had an absolute ball.
To recap:
We've reminisced about what has influenced the paranormal genre through the years and one of the main things we've discovered universally is that Dark Shadows has played a large part in most author's motivations towards the paranormal. Other movies and shows, such as, Dracula, Forever Knight, UnderWorld, Moonlight-which is a recent show that no one has mentioned but I think belongs here on the list. Books like Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and for me the Witch Series-The Witching Hour, Lasher, etc. have gone a long way to locking my muse in the Paranormal mode.

We've learned that the Alpha males are very important and desirous of the female psyche. Whether it be the motorcycle bad boy or a dark-hearted, sexy man who turns furry at the full moon, or dons fangs at will, women get all moist between—well, you get the picture:) To tame the beast within is every woman's desire and to bring him to his knees quivering with the need to own her heart, mind, body and soul the ultimate reward.

We’ve met new authors excited about their first releases, and we’ve met seasoned ones who continue to hone the muse and share their knowledge with the newbies so that they may enjoy the sensation of publication. We’ve seen how family and friends play such a large part in our motivation to get our stories down on paper and then all the support and encouragement from our loved ones for us to actually get those stories out there for others to enjoy.

We’ve met Rhonda Penders, Editor-in-Chief/Owner of The Wild Rose Press and learned what makes her tick.

Some of you have won prizes and will continue to have chances at other great prizes. Please let me know what you thought of all the activities over the last week. I would love to know if you’ve had as much fun as I have.

And speaking of prizes, who’s up for a chance at winning a free download of Curse of the Marhime? I do think a little scavenger hunt is in order. Take a little trip over to my website, Roma Wolf Tales, and take a gander at the sample story, “A Mid Autumn’s Nightmare,” then tell me what Darius does that Aliese really “hates.” Place your answers as a comment to this post. I will take all the correct answers and enter them into a drawing to announce the winner next Sunday, October 19th.

Happy Hunting and good Luck!

Hey, while you’re there, take a look around. You never know what question I might ask next for a great prize:)

Have a wonderful day!
D~

It's October! Let the tricks and treats begin!

Well, the festivities are in full swing at The Wild Rose Press and here at my Halloween Blog Party. Get those Halloween Mini's in and enjoy the fun this month.

Don't forget to get in touch with me if you'd like to do a guest blog spot this month. We're going to have lots of special guests this month, both authors and editors. I am so excited about this!

Also, I will have a drawing at the end of the month for a special treat and all you have to do to qualify is comment on this blog!

C'mon, let's get this party started!

Happy Hauntings!

D~

Halloween Mini Tales Contest: Exciting New Information!

Great News, Everyone!

I have been invited to host The Wild Rose Press' Paranormal Month, which runs October first through thirty-first, for the Black Rose line right here on my blog. As you know, TWRP is my publishing house and Curse of the Marhime is a Black Rose. This is an amazing honor, and I am proud to participate.

As many of you know, as well, this is my favorite time of year, so I am very excited about this opportunity to celebrate with TWRP and so many talented authors and editors.

I would like to take a moment to update you on the rules of the contest for the entire month of October.



Halloween Mini Tales Contest and The Wild Rose Press Paranormal Month Celebration
Guidelines and Basic information:

The primary activity will be the Halloween Mini Tales Contest. Guidelines are as follows:

Contest begins October 1st and runs through October 31st.

Submit, to me, a mini Halloween romantic tale on any spooky entity or subject via email to gothscribegirl@aol.com inserting "Mini Tales Contest" and "your story's title" in the subject line of the email by October 31st. (These stories should be geared specifically to the TWRP Black Rose guidelines.

The story must be complete with a beginning, middle, and end.

The tale must be no more than 500 words.

The added bonus is that since I am sponsoring Paranormal Month for the Black Rose Line at TWRP, any entrant has a chance at being asked to expand your tale into a longer piece for--get this!--possible consideration to submit your tale for review for a chance at publication! Can't get any better than that, can it?

I will choose three winners: two runners up, who will receive special Wild Rose Press Blossom Bucks to be used on the site for book and story purchases. The First Prize Winner with receive a free download of my new release, Curse of the Marhime.

In addition to the main contest, I will have spontaneous Tricks or Treats activities and giveaways the entire month. I will also have many interesting blog guests as well who will be offering their own prizes. One of my surprise gift donors is Skhye Moncrief author of Ancient Musings and He of the Fiery Sword! She has donated free downloads as well, so stay turned to find out how you can win a copy of Skhye's wonderful stories. Thank you, Skhye!



I'd like to take a moment to invite you all to the Paranormal Ball that will run for twenty-four hours on the Wild Rose Press main Chat room October 31st. Meet authors and editors alike. Come as you are or whoever you wish to be. Just click 'Chat' on the top tool bar of the main page and drop on in. Ask editors questions, win fun prizes from the authors and read excerpts from their upcoming releases.

Stay tuned to my blog for contest updates and by all means, if you have any questions post a comment or email me at the above mentioned address. By the way, I will hold a drawing at the end of the month for an additional surprise gift for anyone who posts on this blog between October 1st and 31st.

You really have lots of opportunity to win something, so please keep posted and join in the ghoulish fun.

Happy Halloween!

Dayana~

September is upon us...

Wow! Is it me or is time flying by? September already...

With that the debut of Curse of the Marhime. I am so excited and hope the readers are as excited about it as I am. It was released earlier this week at The Wild Rose Press. I took a look today and discovered it has claimed the seventh spot already on the best sellers list for the Black Rose line!

The novel was so much fun for me to write, and I've got so much more in store for Pita, Niko, Sasha, and Tomas, among other characters surrounding them and soon to cross their paths.

I encourage you to check out Pita's discovery of self and soul-binding love in this new paranormal series. I'd also encourage you to let me know what you think. Do you want more? Do you love the characters as much as I do? You are my readers and I truly want to know what you think.

I am also awaiting word on the acceptance of a companion short story, The Changeling, that I have submitted to The Wild Rose Press' Scarlet line, I hope will work to set up a future adventure for Pita and Niko.

Next in line is October and with it my favorite holiday. Yes, you've guessed it Samhain/Halloween! Watch carefully for word of my Tricks or Treats Halloween contest. I'm still working it out and will announce it in the next week of so right here. Now I'm going to go inspire myself with changing the house decor from summer fare to autumn and pepper some gothic touches in.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dayana~

A week of contest reminders:)

Well, we are definitely in the Dog Days of Summer and its certainly a great time to involve one's self in romps through great websites while hanging out in the great airconditioned indoors, isn't it?

Well I've got additional ways to keep you out of the heat! The Long and the Short of It is celebrating their first anniversary with daily prizes this month and a climatic grand prize at the end on August 27th. You will want to check it out.

Then we have GotWolf? This contest winds down this month so you better get moving on those sexy werewolf heros/heroines! I've got my story just about done. For more details on this one hop on over to The Wild Rose Press.

So you see? Lots of cool ways to spend these hot summer days and win great prizes. Good luck! Now get moving:)

Dayana

Dog Days of Summer Contest is in full swing!

Hope you all are having a nice relaxing Sunday. I wanted to pop in and post a reminder to everyone that our Dog Days of Summer Contest is now in full swing. It began on the first and will run through the end of August.

Please go to my website: www.romawolftales.com click on the contest information banner at the top of my home page which will take you to my contest page for more details. Twelve wonderful authors are offering up a heap of great prizes such as books, perfumes, candles, gift baskets, and other assorted goodies. Look forward to seeing you all there.


And stayed tuned for our Christmas Ride through the Blogs Contest coming in December. This adventurous sleigh ride will run December 1 through the 24th. Keep an eye here for more details in the next couple of months.

Dayana

Wow! What a week!

I have had the most productive week that I have experienced in my entire career as a writer! I am both excited and awed and I must say, even abit humbled.

Allow me to backtrack a moment...

When I released my first book, Dancing on the Edge, writing as S. L. Connors, I truly had no clue what to do, how to do it, or even where to do it. I took baby step after baby step into the unfamiliar waters of everything from submitting the manuscript, editing, publishing, and marketing the finished product. Yes, and like a toddler struggling with its first steps, I took many stumbles and falls along the way. The entire process was slow, grueling work, and I must admit frustrating. My most frequent mantra was, "I'd much rather be writing! Why can't I just write!"

Well, it seems that all that hard work and lurching about has finally paid off. Maybe not so much for my first novel, but it seems I am doing a better job at falling into the proper venues of introducing my new book, Curse of the Marhime, and my name, Dayana Knight, into the proverbial limelight.

I've done all the logical things such as: create a website, blog, book trailer, business cards, send announcements out on all the loops I can. And delved into the world of contests. Market, market, market!

Now back to the good fortune the Craft Goddess has smiled down upon me this week.

First, I received an invitation to be a sponsoring author for LASR's (The Long and Short Review) First Anniversary celebration which I graciously accepted.

Then I was invited to be interviewed by peer author and friend, Allie Boniface(http://allieboniface.blogspot.com/), on her blog this coming Wednesday, July 23rd. Please, by all means, tune in.

Next, I had emailed my announcement of Curse of the Marhime's sale to The Wild Rose Press in hopes of getting a mention in the RWA's "First Sales" column in the RWA Report Magazine as well on the RWA official site and was advised my mention is slated for the October issue! This is perfect timing because my ebook release date is Spetember 5th and the print is slated for December, 2008.

On Friday evening I returned home from work and, as is my habit, fired up my laptop to check my email. Well, I came across an email from LASR announcing 'free advertising' so, of course, I opened it. LASR offered three months free ad space on their website for the first ten respondents so, you guessed it, I hurried and shot a response back. I won! I never win anything, but I was number eight and won!

Okay, now I'm doing Snoopy happy dances because I just can't contain my good fortune any longer and emailing anyone I possibly can to share my glee.

This morning I received yet another offer for marketing from another peer author and friend, Donna Sundblad, asking if I'd be interested in being interviewed on BlogRadio.

Can I just say, I can't believe the opportunities that have suddenly dropped into my lap. This is incredibly exhilarating, and it just proves that persistance does, in fact, reap it's just rewards.