Winner of YourNovel.com’s Mother’s Day Contest announced

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin

For the Ages is set at Asheville's Grove Park Inn

Congratulations to Leigh Pittman of Louisville, KY, for winning YourNovel.com’s Mother’s Day Contest.

To win this contest, we asked entrants to tell us in 50 words or less which of our novels or eBooks they thought a mom in their life would like to star in and why.

The judges liked Leigh’s entry best.

Here’s what she wrote:

For the Ages (which is set at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC)

Why?

My mother is a typical southern bell and the matriarch of  the family.  She is gentle but so strong.  She has endured the death of her husband, breast cancer and her children’s “issues”.   A special rose, one prick on her finger….and then she’s at The Grove Park Inn at a party …

Well, Leigh, we hope she has a ball reading her book.

Leigh won the option to order any product on our site, and we hope she chooses For the Ages (cover above left) in the hardback version with photo added to the cover (a $126.95 value) and sends her mom on a little fantasy getaway.

And for everyone, remember that this year, Mother’s Day is May 13, this Sunday.

Be good to your mom.

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YourNovel.com featured on Fox 2 News, Detroit, as unique wedding gift

Posted on April 10, 2012 by admin

Wedding season is fast approaching, so instead of the same old toasters and towels, why not put the bride and groom (even the bridesmaids!) in their own romance novel, wild or mild.

That’s what Lindsay from The Gift Insider suggested on Fox 2 News, Detroit, in a segment she did on wedding gift idea.

We, here at YourNovel.com, were so pleased to be included. And when you watch the clip, you’ll see that the news anchor seemed to like the idea, too, especially of a Fabio-esque picture you the bride and groom added to the cover!

Thanks, Lindsay, and thanks Fox 2.

YourNovel.com makes a unique wedding gift, says The Gift Insider

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Win Mom a personalized romance novel for Mother’s Day (done)

Posted on April 10, 2012 by admin

(This contest is over. Leigh Pittman was chose our winner.)

To celebrate Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 13), YourNovel.com is sponsoring a little writing contest, and the winner will be awarded one of our personalized romance novels. We are not asking for anything near the scope of our short story writing contest that produced the book Celebrating Romance 2 to commemorate our 20 years in business.

Instead, to win this contest, you simply have to tell us in 50 words or less which of our novels or eBooks you think a mom in your life would like to star in and why (that mom can be you, by the way, if you’re inclined to enter).

YourNovel.com’s 40-some books come in exotic settings like Tahiti, Jamaica, Africa, Rome, Key West, the Caribbean, cruise ships, a dude ranch, a ski resort and more. We also have a vampire series, historical fiction, detective books and a golf fantasy novel. Each comes in “wild” or “mild” versions where any couple becomes the stars with 26 bits of information like names, eye and hair color, affectionate nicknames, make of car, best friends, favorite color, perfume/cologne, favorite music, radio station and more.

The winner gets his or her choice of any of our personalized novels – paperback, hardback or eBook (valued up to $126.95).

So if you know a mom, or grandma, or mom-to-be who loves to read romance novels – or if you’re a mom yourself - enter our contest for a chance to win a book to keep or to give to that special mom to make her the star she is in her own personalized novel.

To enter the writing contest:

Go to www.YourNovel.com and look at the available titles.

Then follow these 4 steps:

1. Write 50 words or less telling us which book a mom in your life would like to star in and why – the more creative, the better;
2. Submit your answer as a plain text email by clicking here: Make Mom a Star. Please include your full name and use a valid email address so we can contact you if you win;
3. Follow YourNovelCom on Twitter;
4. Like YourNovel on Facebook.

The contest details:

• No purchase is necessary.
• All 4 steps must be completed to qualify.
• Only one entry per email address.
• The contest is open to U.S. and Canadian entries only.
• Void where prohibited by law.
• You must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
• Judging is based on originality; judges’ decision is final.
• This contest ends May 7, 2012, at 11:59 PM, EST, and the winner will be notified within 48 hours.
• The winner will be contacted by email and announced here.
• The winner will be given a Gift Card code for one free book within 48 hours from when the contest has ended.
• The Gift Card will expire one year from the date issued.
• Gift Cards have no cash value; only redemption value for any one product on the website valued up to a hardback with photo, including regular shipping and handling.
• All entries become the property of YourNovel.com and may be posted in full or in part on our website, blog, Facebook, or Twitter page.

Subscribing to YourNovel.com’s email newsletter, following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook will give you updates containing news, contests, specials, giveaways and promotions.

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New eBook now for sale: Red Moon Waltz

Posted on March 10, 2012 by admin

Hard to believe Valentine’s came and went so quickly. Hope you are preparing for a glorious spring. To help you celebrate it, we’re happy to announce the release of a new eBook from writer Gail Gibbs: Red Moon Waltz.

Many of you know Gail Gibbs as author of three eBooks we offer, Vampire Rhapsody, Fresh Blood and Blood Starved, which can be ordered individually as eBooks or packaged together in Vampire Saga, which comes as a paperback, hardback or eBook.

Now for the deal: Red Moon Waltz is currently on sale for $19.95 (already discounted from the usual $24.95). Your deal is for $10 off the sale price. You can use this code – RMOON10 – at online checkout for $10 off this newest eBook – making it $9.95 – or on any paperback, hardback or eBook at YourNovel.com. This offer expires at midnight, EST, on April 9, 2012. Feel free to share it with family and friends and use it as many times as you’d like.

Here’s the scoop on Red Moon Waltz:
The starring couple attend a masquerade ball held at the mysterious Peacewood Manor, an estate with a truly fantastic secret. The moon rises and the masks come off, introducing the couple to an enchanted world of elf queens, shapeshifters, pixies and vampires. Charmed, they soon discover how delightfully seductive magic can be. Evil also lurks underneath the captivating glitter, and this loving twosome must draw on all their love and courage to save themselves and their new-found friends from supernatural disaster.

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This customer has high praise for ‘Love’s Bounty’ and YourNovel.com

Posted on February 17, 2012 by admin

To all of you at YourNovel,

To say that I’m pleased would be an understatement. From ordering to reading this has been one of the best on line experiences I’ve ever had. Firstly, I ordered the Saturday before Valentine’s Day and it arrived on the 15th, which was OK as it was intended to be a surprise for my wife. Honestly, from production to mailbox, I didn’t expect it that fast.

Secondly, I am living in Missouri now but am originally from The Outer Banks, Point Harbor to be exact, so when I saw Love’s Bounty: An Outer Banks Romance, I was beside myself because I know every inch of that island. My wife hasn’t ever been there so it was exciting for her as well. When it came in the mail I opened it right away and started to preview it, to make sure the info provided was accurate, but found myself half-way through the book before I knew it. LOL. IT’S HOT!

Thirdly, thank you thank you, and thank you. Truth be told my wife and I have an exceptional marriage of 20 years and never have put much into the “commercial” side of Valentine’s Day. However, hehehe, this year I heard about you and thought “oh yea”, this is different. If I haven’t made myself clear, THANK YOU!

Ever So Happily Yours,
J.L.B

P.S. If this doesn’t say it all I don’t know what will. I asked my wife if she took the book to work for a little “light reading” at lunch. Her response? “Hell no, I’m reading that in bed…..just in case!”  :) Peace and God’s blessings on you all.

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Meet one of the authors of “Celebrating Romance 2″: Jamie Loafman

Posted on February 14, 2012 by admin

You’ve read here before about Jamie Loafman, when we first announced our contest winners, because she was our first-prize winner. Congrats, Jamie. We are so proud of her, and all 10 writers whose work constitutes our newest book. And, it was so nice that we actually got to meet Jamie in person because it turns out she lives just 20 minutes from us. Interesting coincidence since the other winners are from all over the U.S., and two come from Canada.

Please meet Jamie, who was born and grew up in Clemmons, NC, but currently lives in Garner, NC. She is the mother of “two precious boys” and has been married to hubby Robert for almost 14 years – their anniversary is Valentine’s Day, which shows her proclivity for romance. (Fletcher, by the way, proposed to me on Valentine’s Day, so Jamie, we all have that in common. Love it! And Happy Anniversary.)

Jamie earned her B.A. in Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and worked as a customer service/sales representative at Pepsi for seven years before her first child was born. She has also dabbled in counseling, photography, sales, and worked as a nanny.

She entered the YourNovel.com writing contest because “it’s something I love to do anyway. I saw it as a great opportunity to see if my writing was up to par to someone besides family and friends.” Her husband, Robert, encouraged her to enter the contest. “He would not leave me alone until he was assured that I sent my story in.”

Jamie’s story, “Piece of Paradise,” takes place in Jamaica where she and her husband honeymooned. “I chose this as my setting because it still sticks out in my mind as one of the most romantic places I have ever visited.” The story is about “a couple who visit a resort in Jamaica in search of some time together, but find unsought attention and a test to their relationship.”

Jamie thought the story “would be easy to write, but it was a real challenge.” She says of wanting to be an author, “It’s been a hobby that’s close to my heart for as long as I can remember.”

We happen to know Jamie has some other novels and stories brewing. Maybe if we all ask her pretty-please, she’ll agree to write a full-length novel for YourNovel.com that you can star in wild, or mild.

Is that applause, I hear?

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Meet one of the authors of “Celebrating Romance 2″: Marilee Smith

Posted on February 13, 2012 by admin

We’re delighted to introduce Marilee Smith, who won second-place in our romance writing contest that resulted in our newest title and celebrates our 20th anniversary here at YourNovel.com.

We loved reading Marilee’s story because we’ve actually visit the Greek islands she so vividly paints in her prose. The other judges agreed. We also also especially enjoyed her humor.

Marliee was born in Pennsylvania, grew up in central Illinois, lived in Denver, CO, and Tuscon, AZ, and currently lives in Grand Island, NE. She is married to her high school “hunka-hunka burnin’ love” and has a love that “never managed to fizzle” despite many obstacles.

Marilee has a B.A. from Illinois State University, an MA/ABD from the University of Denver as well as “an exotic junket for a PhD” at the Island of Nevis in the Caribbean and the now-closed Berne International University. She has taught writing, theater, advertising and mass communications primarily as an adjunct professor at community colleges as well as four-year colleges and universities.

She has also dabbled as a manager of a hotel bar/restaurant in Luxembourg; a licensed apprentice pharmacist at hospitals and pharmacies; a clerk in a police department; a secretary in a detective bureau; and a writer/producer for a television station.

We’d love to hear some of her stories from those jobs.

She entered the YourNovel.com contest because “the fun of marrying a passion for travel with written romance was just too tempting.” She was encouraged to write after her “coffeehouse cohorts deserted me for paid employment.”

Her story, “Greco-Romance,” is about “a couple sharing peak experiences while cruising to two Greek isles, and almost inadvertently, through their love bringing a family together as a bonus.” The two islands are Santorini and Rhodes; she has visited both and describes them as “sun-soaked destinations that have a way of seeping into your soul.”

Marilee says of writing romance, “[It] requires finding words for someone’s most secret, often contradictory desires. As unsavory as it sounds, romance writers need to climb between the sheets with characters, adding color commentary.”

Well put.

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Countdown to VDay (1 day): You can still star together in a book and receive it in time – just order an eBook

Posted on February 13, 2012 by admin

It’s NOT too late to star together in a romance novel this Valentine’s! That’s because eBooks can be delivered all day Valentine’s Day in your email in box.

And, how about starring in our  newest eBook: It’s set in Hawaii and features two short stories, both set in Hawaii, from our 10th anniversary book, Celebrating Romance.

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Meet one of the authors of “Celebrating Romance 2″: Yonni M. Groza

Posted on February 11, 2012 by admin

Three cheers for Yonni M. Groza, third-place winner in our romance writing contest. Hers is one of 10 stories you can read right now in our new release, Celebrating Romance 2. We’re 20 years old, and this is perfect way to celebrate: By publishing new writers! (Hint: It’s also the perfect way for you and your honey-bunny to celebrate your love – by starring together in these 10 short stories, wild or mild, of course!)

Yonni still lives in Beacon, NY, where she was born and raised.  She says of her home, “It’s a beautiful place, full of history, nestled in the Hudson River Valley.”  Beacon is just one hour north of New York City. (This is a good time to give a shout-out to our paperback printers, Net Publications in Poughkeepsie, NY, since they too are, as we say down South, in “that neck of the woods.” And, they work overtime to get all the personalized novels out in time for V-Day, as we call it. Good job, ya’ll)

Yonni is the Store Manager at Nature’s Pantry in Fishkill, NY, a large alternative grocery store. She has been with the company for two years and really enjoys working there. “I am constantly learning new things about the health industry,” she says of her work. She has a strong retail background and finds it exciting. She stumbled into a job at Hallmark “when I was 19 and in two years I was running the store.” Her flexible schedule allows her time to write.

She entered the YourNovel.com writing contest because “I hadn’t been writing very much, kind of fighting off a case of writer’s block. I found out about the contest late in the game and only had four days to write . . . It was a great challenge.”

Yonni’s story, “On a Rainy Night,” is about a “romantic weekend getaway disrupted by a violent storm and a ghostly encounter deep in the mountains.” She says of the story, “I’ve always thought of thunderstorms as romantic and passionate – the perfect setting for a story! I wanted the story to have an eerie, thrilling feel to it but still maintain the romantic storyline.”

She found the writing challenging. “It was much more difficult than I anticipated to write the story in a way that would allow it to be fully customizable.  I had to completely change my approach to the characters.” Yonni realized she wanted to be an author when “I began sharing my work on the Internet and with my friends and family. I had very positive responses. The emotional connection that people felt to my characters was inspiring and pushed me to create new characters and story ideas.”

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Meet one of the authors of “Celebrating Romance 2″: Jayne Grey

Posted on February 8, 2012 by admin

Jayne Grey was born and raised in Lancaster, PA, but currently lives in Springfield, MO. She is “happily married to Keith, father of our two terrific daughters, a golden retriever, and a toy poodle that thinks he’s a golden retriever.” She graduated from Millersville University in Millersville, PA with a B.S. in Chemistry.

She entered the YourNovel.com writing contest because “the idea of writing a short story intrigued me, and then there was the extra challenge of having to incorporate 23 specific details to personalize it. I write romances about people resisting falling in love—it was completely different writing about a couple already in that happy place. What sort of danger, or dilemma, could I put them in?” She has never been published before, but she has written several series romances and is working on another one. She works with a publisher “who has given me great advice for the past two years.” She has a website at www.jaynegrey.com.

We’re delighed her story, “Island Forecast:Danger,” is included in our new book — just in time for Valentine’s gift-giving — Celebrating Romance 2, featuring all 10 winning stories from our romance writing contest to herald our 20th anniversary at YourNovel.com.

Jayne says of her story: It’s an “adventure filled with white-knuckled terror, romance and devotion. What if the loving couple was thrust into danger and had only each other to make it out alive?”

She found the writing challenging because she had to adhere to the 2500- to 4000-word limit. “I wanted to keep writing,” she says. She has wanted to write “ever since I learned to read, but studying to become a chemist seemed much more practical (and was!)”

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