Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway: Pushing the Limits Edition

It has been a long, looooooong time since I've done a Monday giveaway, and after seeing my good friend Stacee doing them left and right, I figured I'd better get back over here and continue with the awesomeness. I mean, these piles of books aren't gonna giveaway themselves.

Prior to the cover reveal on Friday, the last time I was on here was before Christmas. (!!!) But, in my defense, I have been a busy little bee. I've been working diligently on finishing up CAPTIVE, the new adult St. Martin's Press acquired a few months ago. I'm nearly done with it (can you hear the angels singing??), and then I'll be diving right into book two for CAGED IN WINTER, a companion book featuring other characters. 

I've also been working on getting a new site up and running. There have been some (okay, a lot) bumps in the road, but I think I'm finally on my way to new shiny pretty. I hope to see design concepts later this week, and I'm so excited I could scream. And I might later, because it's Monday and sometimes I like to get wild on Mondays.

You know what else I like to do on Mondays? GIVE SHIT AWAY! Since I've been gone for so long, I thought I'd come back with a bang. Who likes Katie McGarry? Who likes signed books? Well have I got a treat for you. This week's giveaway is a hardcover, signed copy of PUSHING THE LIMITS.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.


But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Since it's been for-freakin-ever since I did a giveaway, lemme run down the rules for ya real quick: Not an international giveaway (sorry, non-U.S. readers!). Must be 16 years or older. Play in the rafflecopter and watch your e-mail for notification!

Let's see if I can get back to my weekly posting, huh? See you (hopefully) next week!

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When It Rains, It Pours...

2013 has been awesome. I mean...really, truly awesome. Finishing CAGED IN WINTER in June--the goal I'd set for myself. Going to RWA and hanging out with amazing people. I danced next to Nora Roberts, for crying out loud. Getting an agent. Getting my first print deal. Having another novella, SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES, come out (which dropped last week, btw...that's how CRAZY BUSY it's been because I didn't even post about it). 

See what I mean? Awesome. So much so that I'm thinking, it can't possibly get better, can it? Surely I've reached my awesome quota for the year.

NOT SO, MY FRIENDS. NOT SO.

I am so, so thrilled to be working on this project with Rose at St. Martin's. It's unlike anything I've ever done before, and I'm so excited to share it with you!

What's this mean? Well, it means 2014 is gonna be a busy year. Like...I really hope I remember to, you know, shower and stuff. So I'll apologize ahead of time for my scarce blog posts.

Because I'm so super excited, I'm giving away some books! Five winners will receive both PLUS ONE and my latest release SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES. And another five will get a copy of the holiday anthology SoSC was in, ALL I'M ASKING FOR. That's ten winners, baby! You know what to do...

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Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway: Release Week Edition!

Helllllooooooo! How was everyone's November? Mine was cahrayzay. So crazy I couldn't even spell it the correct way. Between writing and release promo and proposals and, oh yeah, Thanksgiving, I'm basically a zombie. I don't feel at all caught up, and it's only going to get worse. You know why? Christmas is 23 days away. 

You're welcome.

Before you flit off to take advantage of the Cyber Monday sales to knock some of those Christmas things off your list, pull up a chair! Get comfy. Maybe grab a coffee (or hot chocolate, if you prefer). Let's chat.

For the first part of November, I was banging away on the follow-up to Caged in Winter. I got 25k words into it before I had to break away and focus on a different project for a bit. One I, unfortunately, can't tell you about yet, but I hope to be able to very soon! So what's that mean? That means I failed NaNo. *sad violins playing* But you know what else? I wrote 50k words in November--they just weren't all one project. So, to this I say: I WIN! 

For anyone out there who attempted NaNo, whether you "won" or didn't, congratulations! You committed to writing and (hopefully) wrote at least a word. Stick with it. Just because you didn't complete doesn't mean to toss it away. I'm not scrapping that 25k I wrote. I'm diving right back in. But I'll be smart about it and do it in January when I don't have the weight of the entire world bearing down on my shoulders. For those of you who did NaNo and completed it? YAY YOU! Congratulations! Stick with it to finish, or polish that sucker up in edits.

For the rest of November, I was a writing machine, but in different avenues. I wrote several thousand words on a new project, then I wrote a bunch of guest blog posts and had some fun with some author Q&As for the blog tour happening RIGHT NOW! Yep, 'tis the time for blog tours because you know what? SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES (as well as ALL I'M ASKING FOR) comes out on Thursday! If you're interested in following the tour, getting insight into my crazy mind or reading some excerpts, Closed the Cover, our tour coordinators, have a page listing all the stops! I also have a few extra stops along the way that I'll be tweeting about.

Let's get to the fun stuff! Since this week is super exciting for me, I wanted to make this giveaway super exciting for you! Instead of one book, I'm giving away five--that's right, FIVE!--to one lucky winner. Unfortunately, because I haven't found that money tree yet, this is not open to international readers. But stay tuned! I'll have something for you later...

In this giveaway pack, we have The Best Man by Kristan Higgins, Fatal Justice by Marie Force, Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally, Relic by Heather Terrell, and Covet by Tracy Garvis-Graves.

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My fellow anthology authors and I are also giving away a $25 gift card to the e-book retailer of your choice! Hey international readers! Told you I'd have something for you, too. 

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That's it for this week. I hope to be back next week with another giveaway. That is, if I haven't lost my head between now and then.

 

Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway: THESE BROKEN STARS

I can't believe how late it is! Your Monday is almost over, and hopefully it didn't suck too bad. Mine was a complete cluster, one thing after another after another that needed tending and I'm just now--just now--sitting down for the first time today.

So what's new in Brighton Land? This week I've been working on getting promo stuff ready for my upcoming release of SEASON OF SECOND CHANCES. I suppose I should start teasing you all with snippets of my favorite Hot Single Dad. Alas, it's late and I'm so tired, I'd probably post something that made zero sense. So, sooooooon, my pretties.

When I'm not in prepping-for-promo-madness, I've also been working on the revisions for my new adult contemporary. Everything is polished and shiny-pretty and I sent that off to my agent yesterday. Now I get to throw together a single paragraph pitch for book 2 in that series, which I plan to write during NaNo this year.

Whoa. That was a lot of pressure in that one tiny paragraph.

But enough about me! Let's talk about books! Last week's winner, Traci, gets a copy of THE MARRIAGE MERGER, so her Monday certainly doesn't suck. Now, who wants to win a copy of THESE BROKEN STARS?

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

--

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

See you next week!

 

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Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway: THE MARRIAGE MERGER

I've been having one of those days where I have so much to do that I just sort of sit around, staring at stuff and not doing anything because I'm so overwhelmed. Ever have a day like that? What I need to do is whip out my trusty Sharpie and write myself a to-do list just for the satisfaction of checking something off. 

Last week, I worked on and finished the edits from my current WIP. Now comes the polishing part...making sure all those changes/additions/subtractions I made still make sense. Once that's done, I'll be able to dive into the details of book 2, as the characters have already started speaking to me. (I love this part).

Since I'm drowning in a to-do list a mile long, this post is gonna be short and sweet. Last week's lucky winner is none other than Christine! Random.org likes her, I guess. 

This week's giveaway is book 4 in the Marriage to a Billionaire series by Jennifer Probst.

Her sisters have found wedded bliss with their wealthy,wonderful dream men, but not Julietta Conte. She’s stayed on terra firma as top executive of the family’s corporation, La Dolce Famiglia bakery. Work is her passion, and her trendy Milan apartment her sanctuary . . . until Sawyer Wells, a masculine masterpiece in a suit, lures her out of hiding with an irresistible offer: an exclusive partnership with his international chain of boutique hotels.

Julietta’s been burned before—and trusting her brother-in-law’s friend, whose powerful gaze alone has her rethinking the best use of a conference room, is the riskiest proposition. But with a once-in-a-career chance to take the bakery global, will she mix stone-cold business with red-hot seduction?

Enter below... I'll see you next week!

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Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway: HEREAFTER

Hellooooooo, all you pretty people! It's Monday again. I know...we've got to stop meeting under these circumstances. But once again, this Monday doesn't suck for me (can you tell I'm an eternal optimist?). It's the last day of September, which means tomorrow is October! And also my birthday! That's not the only reason it's the best month in the history of ever, though. It's also the month I got married in and delivered one of my children in. And it's fall! There are leaves and sweaters and boots and that wonderful smell! Plus: HALLOWEEN! My second favorite holiday, coming in after Christmas, because obviously.

This last week flew by, as one does when work is being done. I'm starting preparations for a blog tour and promo for my upcoming release, Season of Second Chances, out in a stand alone novella, and also as part of All I'm Asking For: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology. Both of those are now available for pre-order on Amazon (whee!). I'm waiting (not-so-) patiently for cover art on that, and as soon as I'm able, I'll share what we've got.

I've also been working hard on my new adult novel, with suggestions from Mandy. I'm polishing it up and reworking bits and sort of piecing together the rest. I find this to be the most difficult part of editing, trying to fit everything back together when you've changed something even just a smidgen, but ultimately, I know it will be a better book when it's all said and done.

Last week, I had a fabulous giveaway of FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell, and decided to do that before everything came out about the whole MN school nonsense. And it really is. ELEANOR & PARK is an amazing book. One of my favorites this year, and while it absolutely deserves the attention it's getting, it doesn't deserve the stem of that attention. If you haven't had the opportunity to read E&P, do yourself a favor and buy it--that's right, just buy it. Don't check it out from the library, because I promise you you'll love it that much.

What's that? You wanna know who the winner is? Welp, congrats Heather W.! Hope your Monday doesn't suck with this win under your belt.

This week's giveaway is an ARC of HEREAFTER by Kate Brian, due out tomorrow.

Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection.

But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She's also made friends with a local clique--including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan. 

But Rory's world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn't what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory's every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. 

From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she's ever known ends.

You know the drill. Rafflecopter down below. I'll see you next week.

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Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway: UNBREAKABLE

Looks like another one snuck up on us. Monday strikes again. Man, it was hard setting my alarm for o'dark thirty this morning. On the plus side, by 8 am, I've done half a day's work, so productivity? I haz it.

Last week was a super exciting week for me, for reasons I hope to be able to share very, very soon. Until I can, I'm basically walking around with my hands cupped over my mouth, eyes wide as I run away in panic.

Let's move onto things that will surely make you happy, even though it's Monday! Congrats to Kendra who won last week's giveaway! 

I've got another ARC for you this week: UNBREAKABLE.

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

Do your thing down below and I'll see you back here next week.

Open to U.S. residents only. Must be 13 years or older to win.

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Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway: Teardrop

So my baby started 4K today. My brave, outgoing, never scared baby...who cried when he had to walk into the school by himself. 

Yeah.

It was a rough morning. But I picked him up three hours later, and he was all smiles and hugs, and then we got a cookie. Because obviously.

After I drove my blubbering self home, I ran around the house, dancing and screaming, "I'M FREE! I'M FREE!"

Just kidding.

I did something much less exciting. I worked. Womp womp. But I got to do that work without a four-year-old poking me in the ribs every 32 seconds, so I'm calling it good.

Besides sending my baby off to school, this past week I got the final-but-not-yet-copy-edited back cover copy for Season of Second Chances. And you guys. I love it. It's perfect, and does a wonderful job of capturing what this novella is all about. Want a peek?

When a storm strands Claire Hanlin in Chicago on Christmas Eve, the last person she expects to come to her rescue is Logan Dawes, the man she almost married two years ago. The chemistry between them is dangerously potent, but with nowhere else to go, Claire accepts Logan’s offer to stay with him for the night.

Back in the home they shared, surrounded by reminders of Logan and his young daughter, Claire begins to realize how much she misses the family she almost had. And after a few cups of Christmas cheer, she falls right back into her ex’s arms—even though she knows it means setting herself up for heartbreak all over again.

The magic of the season has thrown him together with the woman he’s never stopped loving, and Logan’s not about to pass up this gift. He’s not the workaholic he was two years ago—his family comes first. Now all he has to do is prove it to Claire, before the snow stops and she flies out of his life for good.

*jumpy claps* I can't wait for you guys to read this one. In the meantime, if you wanna have a peek at the inspiration board I used while writing this, have at it. Blanket disclaimer: I'm not at all PG over there. I'm probably closer to NC-17. So you shouldn't go over there at work. Or at your grandmother's. 

How about we make this Monday suck less for one of you? Congrats to last week's winner of Find Me, Misti! This week, I'm giving away an ARC of Teardrop by Lauren Kate.

Never, ever cry. . . . Eureka Boudreaux's mother drilled that rule into her daughter years ago. But now her mother is gone, and everywhere Eureka goes he is there: Ander, the tall, pale blond boy who seems to know things he shouldn't, who tells Eureka she is in grave danger, who comes closer to making her cry than anyone has before.

But Ander doesn't know Eureka's darkest secret: ever since her mother drowned in a freak accident, Eureka wishes she were dead, too. She has little left that she cares about, just her oldest friend, Brooks, and a strange inheritance—a locket, a letter, a mysterious stone, and an ancient book no one understands. The book contains a haunting tale about a girl who got her heart broken and cried an entire continent into the sea. Eureka is about to discover that the ancient tale is more than a story, that Ander might be telling the truth . . . and that her life has far darker undercurrents than she ever imagined. From Lauren Kate comes an epic saga of heart-stopping romance, devastating secrets, and dark magic . . . a world where everything you love can be washed away.

 To enter, go have some fun with rafflecopter. I'll see you next week.

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Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway: Find Me

I'm late! In my defense, I actually thought all day yesterday that it was Sunday, so I assumed I was right on schedule with my post and winner announcement. On the plus side, Monday's already passed (yay!). And I also have another book for you. Because I like you that much.

I went through my stash and decided that for all of September, I'm going to be giving away books releasing this month or next. Up this week is Find Me by Romily Bernard which comes out 9/24. 

“Find Me.”

These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.

Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

You know the drill. Pop down there to the rafflecopter doohickey, do your thing, and maybe you'll get your hands on this shiny pretty. And don't forget to stop back next Monday. I do believe I'll be giving away a copy of Teardrop by Lauren Kate.

Open to U.S. Residents only

Must be 16 years or older to enter 

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Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway: Wait For You

It's Monday. Boo hiss. I mean, really, why do they have to suck so bad? Can I let you in on a little secret, though? I actually love Mondays. (*gasp!*) Or I do when school's in session, anyway (two more weeks! HUZZAH!). Because that means my kids go back to school, and I have a minimum of 5 hours to do nothing but write. Or read. Or, you know, sit around and eat bon-bons while watching soap operas. How you do.

But I know for most people Mondays suck. A lot. But not here! Not in the safe place on the blog, frolicking in the land of pretty, pretty books. Here instead of: Monday. Boo hiss. It's: Monday. Yay!

Thanks everyone for playing last week and entering to win the two Kristan Higgins books. And congrats to BookLady for snatching up those lovely books!

This week I've got an equally awesome giveaway going on. Not only is it a pretty, pretty book, but it's a signed pretty, pretty book!

Going to one lucky winner is an ARC of Wait for You by J. Lynn. I met Jen at RWA and she was a sweetheart!  If you'd like to get your hot little hands on this bad boy, just enter below. Contest will go through Sunday at midnight. Winner announced next Monday!

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I will see you foxy people back here next week for another giveaway. 

 

 

Make Mondays Suck Less Giveaway!

I'm late. I know. Whose bright idea was it to do a giveaway on Mondays, anyway? My brain is as effective as silly putty after the weekend, but hey--I'll deal so you pretty people can get new books!

Considering I have a crap-ton of book giveaways, we're gonna do this weekly until they're gone. Going forward, all giveaways will go Monday-Sunday evening so you have time to get your entries in. Winners will be announced on Mondays.

Now that we have all that boring stuff out of the way, let's get to the good stuff. 

F R E E  B O O K S !

This week, I'm giving away two Kristan Higgins books to one lucky winner! I've got paperback copies of The Best Man and Too Good to Be True that I was lucky enough to snag at RWA. 

If you've read Kristan's books before, you know they're full of heart and humor. If you haven't read them before, what are you waiting for?

Sorry, this contest is only open to US residents.
Must be 18 years or older to enter.

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