Monday, April 30, 2012

It's A Party! Put On Your Dancing Shoes & Collect Your Prizes!

Woohoo!  The party day has finally arrived and it's going to be fun because it's a huge thank you to all my readers who have made this blog something I look forward to every day.  As Ren McCormick said with much wisdom in his voice as the confetti rained down, "Let's dance!"

Oh, wait.  We have some awesome prizes for you. (You can read this and dance at the same time if you want.  I know I am.)   (Also, I was trying to use Rafflecopter for this, but I'm technically inept, so we're going to do this the old-fashioned way) (and use the honor system.)

Today's theme is Mystery and Suspense and all our prizes are very suspenseful.  And whether you win or not is still a mystery!  (I laughed at that.  Sad, I know, but I haven't gotten much sleep lately, so bear with me.)  Get your party hats out (or dancing shoes on) and I will, too.  *throws confetti* *pulls up my collar*

First of all, thank you to all who have already entered the contest for having a character in my new novel named after you!  I'm so excited to put everyone's entries up for a vote.  I will accept entries until Tuesday at 10 p.m. MST and then we'll vote on them Wednesday and Thursday and announce the winner on Friday.  Sound good?  Here's the details in case you missed it.

Write a 300 word piece that starts with the words, "The shadow moved across the window."  It can be any genre, but must start with those words.  Email your entry to juliecoulterbellon@gmail.com with Character Contest in the subject line.  I will be putting the entries on the blog so everyone can vote and the ones with the most votes wins!  It's going to be fun!  This is the first prize and frankly, one I'm very excited about!




The second prize is from the Queen of Mystery herself, Stephanie Black. (Doesn't she look so sweet and innocent in that picture?)  She is a multi-award winning author and has some of the curl your toes creepy kind of mysteries that I almost never read after dark.  She has a blog here and today, you can win one of her books.  She'll even autograph it for you.  (In a creepy way I'm sure.)  I've reviewed some of her books in the past and I can't wait for her new ones.  In that, "I know I shouldn't but I totally do" sort of way.  (Love you, Steph!)







The third prize offered today is Caller ID by Rachelle Christensen.  Another award winning suspense author.  If you haven't read this book, it's one for your keeper shelf.  And if you don't know the author, well, she likes a party---especially the ones I throw.  Right Rachelle?  Here's her blog so you can get to know her better and read some of her stuff!









The fourth prize is Variant by Robison Wells.  I used to blog with Robison and Stephanie over at the SixLDSWriters and a Frog blog and they are the ones that kept up laughing, but they're also the ones who have since written some very . . . well, sort of edgy in a creepy way . . . awesome books.  Rob's book has done very well, and while I haven't read it myself, I have heard a ton of rave reviews about it.  (I'm a bit of a chicken.  I'm going to get up the guts to read it one of these days, I promise!)





So there you have it.  The party has started!!  Woohoo!  *turns the music up loud*  Who's with me?  Who wants some prizes?

If you do, here's the deal.  Each one of these things is worth one entry to win the books offered today.  Tell me in the comment trail which ones you did (or answer the questions correctly) and I will put your entries in.  Simple!

!.  Be a follower of my blog (if you are already, then that doesn't count.  Sorry!)

2.  Be a follower of Stephanie's blog

3.  Like my author page on Facebook

4.  Follow me on Twitter (@juliebellon) and/or Tweet this contest

5.  Tell me whether Stephanie thinks store bought ice cream tastes better or homemade.

6.  Be a follower of Rachelle's blog

7.  Tell me the name of Robison Wells' first published book.

8.  Post this contest on Facebook or Google +


I will announce all the winners on Friday and there will be four more prizes every day this week!  It sounds too good to be true, but I know it's going to be an amazing week.  Thank you to everyone who participates and reads my blog.  This is more a celebration of how wonderful you make my life and I hope you know it.

19 comments:

Kate said...

1. I'm an official follower now. I was an email follower before so don't know if that counts. You choose.
2. I'm now a follower of Stephanie's blog.--Thanks for the link. I'd wondered where she went after the Frog Blog collapse.
3. I liked you author FB page.
4. I don't Tweet.
5. Stephanie prefers store bought ice cream for all the same reasons my husband cites. What is wrong with you people?
6. I'm now a follower of Rachelle's blog who I just met at Write Here In Ephraim.
7. Robison Well's first book was On Second Thought. Julie, you really should read VARIANT. It is Excellent and not creepy scary.
8. I posted about your contesst on FB.

So that's like 6 or 7 points depending on what you decide for #1. Congratulations on 1 year!

Melanie Goldmund said...

I love a good contest!

And by the way, you don't need guts to read Variant. Not like you do to read Dan Wells' books, anyway. Variant was surprising, but not all that creepy. Just thought I'd mention it.

1. I've just started following your blog. :-)

5. Stephanie thinks store-bought ice cream tastes better than homemade.

7. On Second Thought was the name of Robison Wells' first published book.

Sorry, I don't do all that Facebook and Twitter stuff. There's something about it that I just don't like. Maybe I'm not social enough. Anyway ...

Janice Sperry said...

!. Already a follower.

2. Already a follower

3. Already liked

4. I just joined Twitter. I haven't ever tweeted but I'm now following your tweets. (I'm now following a grand total of 8 twits - did I say that right?) I'm not completely sold on Twitter yet.

5. Stephanie prefers store bought ice-cream which isn't as strange as it sounds. It's a lot faster to buy it than to make it. And who has that kind of time when they're experiencing a craving?


7. On Second Thought (which was hilarious.)

8. Posted

Donna K. Weaver said...

Happy Blog Birthday! I've got all those books so good luck to the participants.

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

Thanks Kate!

Melanie, you? Not social? Naaahhh. ;)

Janice, thanks for calling me a twit. I needed that!

Donna, somehow I believe you that you have all of Stephanie's books, Rob's Variant and Rachelle's Caller ID. But I hope you check back tomorrow for some brand new ones. :)

Christie Vick said...

I'm now a follower of your blog, Stephanie's blog and Rachelle's blog. I already follow you on Twitter. (I think Twitter is great for writers.) I "liked" your author page on facebook. Rob Wells' first book is On Second Thought. I went to his webpage to find that out. I follow Rob on Twitter too, BTW. Stephanie likes store-bought ice cream and so do I. I posted your contest on Facebook and on Twitter. Your blog is a lot of fun and informative too. Happy Birthday!

Debra Erfert said...

*blushes crimson* I can't believe I wasn't a legitimate follower--until now! SCORE 1 point!

New follower of Stephanie's blog 1 more point

*sighs* already liked your fb author's page. 0 points

New follower of your Tweets. 1 more point

I agree with Stephanie about the store bought ice cream tasting better than homemade. Yep! 1 more point

New follower at Rachelle's blog 1 more point

And I loved, loved, loved! Rob's "On Second Thought". 1 more point.

I posted your contest on my Facebook page. A whole dozen people may see it. *giggles* 1 more points

7 points! I love that odd number. Happy day! Dancing to Wii country dancing! Whoo hoot!!!! Oh, wait! I'll Tweet this contest . . .

Okay, just Tweeted about your party and there's a link to your blog, too. Doesn't that deserve another point? So . . . 8 points in all? Is that a yes? Hmmm? I feel a parting comin' on!

Debra Erfert said...

I forgot to throw the confetti . . .

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

Thanks, Gussie, and Debra, I'm glad you didn't forget the confetti. It wouldn't be a party without one! :)

Lexie@BookBug said...

What a fun celebration!! I'm already a follower of your blog but here is what else I have done:

+1 Follow Stephanie's blog (Lexie@BookBug)

+1 Liked author page on Facebook (Lexie May Hogan)

+1 Followed on Twitter (@LexieBookBug)

+1 Stephanie thinks store bought ice cream is better (I happen to agree!)

+1 Follow Rachelle's blog

+1 Robison Wells' first published book was On Second Thought (I own all his books except Variant!)

lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

Kathy C said...

1. Following your blog.

2. Following Stephanie's

3. Already liked your author page on FB. But I still like it. :)

4. Don't do twitter much sorry.

5. Store bought.

6. Following Rachelle's blog.

7. Robison Wells' first published book is "On Second Thought" according to his Goodreads page.

8. Contest posted on FB. :)

P.S. Happy Birthday Julie!! Make them all spoil you!

Tamera Westhoff said...

1. I am now a follower of your blog. I was surprised that I wasn't already, I visit often enough!

2. I follow Stephanie's blog now too.

3. I already liked your FB page.

4. I followed you and tweeted the contest (any chance that makes up for already liking your FB page)?

5. Store bought is better, and I wholeheartedly agree, no matter how crazy my family thinks I am!

6. I am now a follower of Rachelle's blog, which is handy, since she's having a giveaway right now too. Score!

7. On Second Thought

8. Posted on FB and Google+ (since I don't have many people as friends on Google+ yet, I don't really think it counts for much).

Hurray!

ilove meinekinder at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

1. I am now following your blog instead of just checking in every so often

2. I am not following stephanies blog too!

3. I like you on facebook

4. follow on twitter

5. She likes store bought!

6. I follow rachelle too

7. On second thought

8. on google +

Mindy Holt said...

I already followed your blog
I already followed Stephanie's blog
I liked your author page
I already followed you on Twitter, I RT'd the contest and tweeted about it.
Store bought icecream
I already followed Rachelle's blog
Is it ON SECOND THOUGHT?
I posted on facebook.

Not sure if some of them count, but my total is 7? Let me know. Thanks :)

My EveryDay said...

I love your books and a contest!

1) I'm now a follower of your blog! Yeah'!

2) I'm a follower of Stephanie's blog

3) I already like your author page on FB...so I got my hubby to like it today!

4)I now follow you on Twitter.

5) Stephanie Black said: "I think store-bought ice cream tastes better than homemade ice cream." I agree with her reasoning too. <3

6)I now follow Rachelle's blog!

7)The name of Robison Wells' first published book is "On Second Thought" (2004).

8) Already posted it on my FB Timeline!

brendajean said...

Woot Woo!! A party!
*I am already a follower of yours- of course:)
*I follow Stephanie's blog.
*I liked you on FB. Why have I not done this before?!?!
*I follow you on Twitter.
*Stephanie likes store bought ice-cream. I agree with her unless it is fresh fruit, which is always better in from a tin can around the campfire:)
*I follow Rachelle's blog.
*Robison's first book was On Second Thought.

Thanks for the fun party giveaways! If I win Robison's book, please draw another winner. I bought it on his Amazon book blitz day:)

bchild5 at aol dot com

You may recognize my name. I am quite famous in the literary world. I am an amazingly gorgeous character in a world famous book- Ribbon of Darkness. *blushing*

Jon Spell said...

If I win, Stephanie HAS to sign it in a creepy way; I won't accept it otherwise!

Okay:

1 point for liking you on Facebook.
0 points for liking you in general. I do, but I don't get any points for it.
1 point for Stephanie liking store-bought ice cream better, but I hear she'll do just about anything for chocolate.
1 point for Wells's On Second Thought, which was a fine first book. Variant is just amazing, though. I'm going to have to disagree with other bloggers who say it's not creepy/scary, but I will say that it's limited on that. It's mostly suspense / thriller. HIGHLY recommend. (If you can wait until October, get both books and avoid the cliffhanger.)

Mary Preston said...

1. GFC: Mary Preston

2. Be a follower of Stephanie's blog:GFC - Mary Preston

3. Like my author page on Facebook: Mary Preston

5. I prefer home-made ice-cream myself, but Stephanie does not.

6. Be a follower of Rachelle's blog: GFC - Mary Preston

7. Tell me the name of Robison Wells' first published book: ON SECOND THOUGHT

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Bridget Howard said...

1. I started following the blog yesterday does that count.
2. Follow GFC Bridget Howard
3. I follow you facebook Bridget Howard
4. Follow you on twitter BridgetHoward3
5.No idea
6. Follow GFC Bridget Howard
7. Variant

bridget.howard@hotmail.com