Monday, April 13, 2009

A Giveaway, a Thank You, and a Break

Giveaway!
Two friends from my critique group are getting close to new releases, and my readers get a chance to win one of their books!

The first is When Hearts Conjoin, the true story about the conjoined Herrin twins and their separation surgery.



As the ghostwriter, Lu Ann Staheli worked tirelessly with the twins' mother, Erin. Lu Ann did a ton of work to make the final product a wonderful account of the journey the Herrin family has taken so far. (Read an interview about her ghost-writing experience here.)

The book is now available for pre-order, and it'll be officially released in a few weeks. This fall, it'll be featured on Oprah. (You read that right!)

The second book up for grabs is by Whitney Award winner Michele Paige Holmes, who took home the Whitney for Best Romance for her first novel, Counting Stars.


Her next book, All the Stars in Heaven, will be out in June. Jay (from Counting Stars) attends Harvard Law and meets Sarah, a music student with a mysterious life and a strangely over-protective father and cousin. In the very first chapter, an innocent conversation with Sarah winds up giving Jay a black eye at the hands of her bodyguard cousin.

You'd think Jay would leave Sarah alone after that, but what follows is a web of lies and deceit surrounding a drug ring Sarah's father (the chief of police) is in the middle of. Forget trying to date; soon Jay and Sarah in the middle of the web, and their lives are at stake. It's a great suspenseful romance.

To enter the giveaway for both books, simply leave a comment here. For a second entry, mention the giveaway and link back to it on your blog (and then let me know you did that so I can count it).

***

Thanks!
With the exception of most (but not all) weekends, I have posted here every day since March 2. That's six weeks of near-daily posts, a record for me (almost like my own NaNoBloPoMo or something!). I even blew through my 300th post without realizing it.

Much of it was due to my blog book tour with the release of Tower of Strength and linking over to my great hosts each day. Doing the tour was an experiment; I'd never done anything like it with my previous five books. I was nervous, but it turned out really great.

As a result, I'm deeply indebted to all 47 (!) of my hosts for their generosity in letting me be part of their blogs for a day. That number includes a few people who approached me during the tour and asked if they could participate. (Um, yeah!!!) Their creativity and kindness knows no bounds.

I've gotten to know a lot of great bloggers over the last few months, and I had a ball during the tour. So a huge thank you to all of my hosts as well as to everyone who participated by following me around the bloggosphere!

***

Time for a Break!
With a month and a half of straight blogging (plus answering blog tour interviews and all the other fun stuff I've been up to), it's time for a little bloggy break. I need to regroup, spend time with family, and maybe even catch up on some writing that's languished a bit (like trying to finish the grammar book . . . I haven't decided on a title yet).

My break will last one or two weeks--I'm not sure how long yet, especially with the LDStorymakers Conference coming up, which will take a lot of time.

(Speaking of which, WEDNESDAY, April 15th is the LAST day to register for the conference. Don't forget!)


***
Be sure to enter the giveaway while I'm gone.

I'll draw the winners when I get back.

See you soon!

65 comments:

Fiauna said...

Both books look great! How exciting for the Herrin family to have the book featured on Oprah.

Have a great blog break!

Sandra said...

Have a well deserved break!

Jess said...

I sooooo need a new book to read! Thanks for the giveaway

Kristina P. said...

I completely understand taking a break, and yours is well deserved! Good luck with the upcoming conference!

Chas Hathaway said...

These really do look like good books. I don't often enter contests like this, but they look like they would be worth the try!

- Chas
http://music.willowrise.com

Loralee and the gang... said...

I would love to read both books! They sound wonderful.

Amanda D said...

Pick me, pick me!

Enjoy your break, Annette. You certainly deserve it!

Jenna said...

I definitely want in on this giveaway! They both sound like great reads.

And congrats on so much blog activity surrounding your new book. I hope it sells more than any other! It was wonderful and I loved being a host!

Have a peaceful and productive break!

Gamila said...

Both books look interesting. I really loved Counting Stars.

Have an awesome break.

Sara said...

enjoy your break!
i hope i win :)

Carolyn V. said...

I meet Lu Ann at a LUW meeting. I am thrilled about her book! And Oprah - sooo cool!

See you at storymakers!

Anonymous said...

I was at that same meeting with Lu Ann and she did a great job. I wish her and the Herrin family all the best success! (Which is a given with the Oprah thing!)

Can't wait to meet you at storymakers! (And that grammar book...salivating!!!)

Sher said...

You have been having giveaways like crazy! You are so generous!
And I totally understand the need to have a break.
I haven't been reading many blogs lately either.

Lyon Pride said...

I'm glad you're taking a break! You've made me tired thinking about all the writing you've been doing for your blog!

Shauna said...

YAHOO! Thanks for this great giveaway! I would love to read these! Please count me in :)

Heather of the EO said...

Good for you for taking a much deserved and much needed break!

Randi said...

Hey, I'll miss you!! Count me in for the giveaway, and I'll see you when you get back!

Heatherlyn said...

Enjoy your break!

CB said...

Sounds like you need a break.

Have fun!

Thanks for the contest - both books look like they will be great.

Julie P said...

I'm in! Enjoy your much needed break.

Jan said...

Enjoy. Well deserved break. And I noticed you won my friends blog giveaway. You lucky lady.

Have fun.

Luisa Perkins said...

Pick me!

I'm glad I'll get to see you on your break.

Jen said...

Bost of te books you featured sound wondeful! You deserve a bloggy break and your family will love you for it! You will be missed, tho!

Anonymous said...

Have a great break. I'll be awaiting your return!

Melanie Jacobson said...

Oh, I so want to win Michelle's book. I loved Counting Stars and I'm sure her next one's going to be great!

Tiffany said...

I need something new to read! Pick me!!

Rachel Sue said...

We'll miss you . . . but hey, free books! I'm all over that. Let us know when you come up with a title. I'm curious to know what you choose.

Little GrumpyAngel said...

I never win, but what the heck!

Have fun on your break. I'm going on one myself.

Brooke said...

I'd love to win one of these! Enjoy your break!

Summer said...

I hope you have a rejuvenating break!

chelsea said...

I would love to win a new book. Thanks for the giveaway and also for letting us be part of your life. You are great!

CountessLaurie said...

Wow on the blogging. I barely make 7 posts a month! I am awed by you all who can manage your time so well! Enjoy your break and thanks for the chance to win!

annie valentine said...

I hate Dave Ramsey for making me miss the conference. Boo on him.

I'm entering the giveaway, BTW.

Stephanie Humphreys said...

You've definitely earned the break. Enjoy. I'm so excited to hear that Michelle has her new book out. I've really been looking forward to it. The other book sounds great too.

Lara Neves said...

You have earned the break most definitely! What a fun giveaway...both books sound very good.

Unknown said...

Have a great break!

C. Michelle Jefferies said...

Have a nice break. I LOVE Counting Stars it was a great read.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I'll see you soon quite literally! Wheeee!

Enjoy your break!

Gayle said...

I'd love to win these books!

Mikki said...

These both sound great!! I'd love to win them. Enjoy your bloggy break. Hope you're able to get a ton of work done. Hope you can relax a little too!

An Ordinary Mom said...

Book giveaway? I am in.

Enjoy your break ... we will miss you and your WNW!

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

looks great

techyone said...

Both books sound wonderful.

kathy55439 said...

Both books look great..... take a break enjoy your self a little

A Reader said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered for your giveaway!

Enjoy your break - you deserve it!!

LisAway said...

Enjoy your break! I've been out of it for a while, too, so I know about needing to do other stuff. The blog tour was lots of fun!

Oh, and I hope I win one of the books. :)

Unknown said...

Enjoy your break :)

LeeAnn said...

I would be especially interested in reading When Hearts Conjoin. I remember when this happened and would be interested in reading a follow-up book.

Karlene said...

Oh, I want to win Michelle's book! Been waiting for it for a long time. So glad it's almost here.

wendy wallach said...

I hope Oprah does it justice.

madamerkf at aol dot com

Sandra K321 said...

I had read a review of When Hearts Conjoin on another blog and it really made me want to read it. Thanks for offering it.

Kami said...

Looks like a fun giveaway, count me in! You update your blog so much better than I do. My writing has been put off by just posting tons of pics. Have a great getaway!

Jo said...

Enjoy your break!!!

Anonymous said...

Have a great bloggity, blog break! You deserve it, big time.

Bobbi said...

Congrats on the release of your new book. Megan and I can't wait to read it!

Thanks for having the girls over last night!!!!

wendy said...

Well, after all that, I think you DO need a break.

Lisa And Randy said...

I'm going to add both books to my reading list. They both sound wonderful, and winning one would be terrific.

Erin said...

I never commented on this post. How did I miss it??

Both of those books sound really neat!

Kaylynn said...

I'm breaking my I'm on a brake to enter your give away--don't tell anyone please!

Rebecca Irvine said...

Have a fun bloggy-cation. I think I might be needing one too.

Michelle said...

I just read a book of yours for the first time, because I read about you on Lara's blog. You have a delightful style--and apparently you are very busy! Good luck with everything.

Heather Justesen said...

I'm excited to see these books. I posted on my blog, so put in two for me!

The Motherboard said...

Have fun on your bloggy break. I've been on one too... it's been nice.

Beth at Aunties said...

Annette,

I hope you are enjoying your break. You deserve it!!! I won Holly's giveaway from on he blog "You are My Sunshine...." I am concerned about personal information being on her blog with what has happened to her sweet family. Today I am taking my information off from it.
If I am still the winner please contact me:)

Sincerely, Beth

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