Friday, August 31, 2012

Romancing the Hop Giveaway


What is your favorite thing about romance? Well, we authors are ready to share our romantic tips, favorite romance reads, and more! Starting Friday, August 31st and ending Monday, September 3rd, over 200 authors and bloggers are sharing their favorite things about romance, reading romance, and dating.

And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. Yep, there will be over 200 giveaways! On my blog you can win....

A $10 Amazon Gift Card!

But that's not all....

We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!

To enter to win, please leave a comment with your email address. You can also gain extra entries for the $10 Amazon gift card I'm giving away (see the Rafflecopter below for details!)

Whew! Okay, now that all the administrative stuff is out of the way, let's get to the romance! EDGE OF THE PAST, the sequel to my debut novel LIFE ON THE EDGE, will be out this winter, and the story will pick up one year after we left Emily and Sergei in LIFE ON THE EDGE.

I'm sharing a little romantic scene here - a glimpse at what Emily and Sergei were up to between books. Emily and her skating partner Chris are about to go on the summer Ice Champions tour, while Sergei has to stay behind to coach his other students.

****

The townhouse was quiet when Sergei and I returned from dinner. Only a trace of light came from the living room, where one lamp remained on.

"Aubrey must already be asleep," I said, kicking off my heels and beckoning Sergei toward the couch. He wrapped me in an embrace as I curled up against him.

"Twelve days until I see you at the show in Providence," I said.

Sergei softly kissed the top of my head. "I've got my special calendar all ready to mark off the days."

I smiled, thinking of the big wall calendar I'd made for him. It showed the city where I’d be every day, and it had all my off days highlighted in bold colors. I'd made one for Marley, too, so she could track Chris's schedule.

"After Providence we'll have three weeks until I'm back here for a break." I turned my mouth downward.

Sergei huddled me closer to him. "I'm going to miss seeing you skate every day.”

I lifted my head from Sergei’s shoulder and looked into his eyes. "That's really sweet."

"I know between giving instructions and critiquing details it might seem like I don't have time to enjoy what you're doing, but I do. I love watching the way you move across the ice."

Sergei traced a feathery line down my arm, and I shivered from the soft heat in his touch. I curled my fingers into his hair and drew his mouth toward mine. As his lips moved from my mouth down my neck, the sound of feet on the creaking stairs snapped me out of my moment of bliss. I leaned away from Sergei just as Aubrey reached the living room. She was in her pajamas and carrying her laptop.

"Don't mind me. I'm headed to the kitchen," she said, making the turn to the next set of steps.

Sergei promptly resumed his tender exploration of my collarbone, sending fiery impulses to every part of my body. Grasping my face in his hands, he locked his deep blue eyes on mine. "When you're gone, I want to remember exactly what you feel like."

I pressed my lips together, trying not to smile. "I have a little confession to make."

"What's that?"

"When I was at your apartment last week, I stole one of your T-shirts to bring with me on the road.” I couldn't hide my grin any longer. “So I can sleep with it."

He laughed. "You could've just asked me for it."

"I thought it might sound weird."

"It's not weird. I like the idea of you sleeping with my shirt. I like the idea of you sleeping in my shirt even better." His gaze and his voice lowered, and my cheeks flushed with warmth.

"You don't have anything of mine,” I said. “I guess you'll just have to memorize me.”

Sergei gently slid my amber bracelet aside and touched his lips to my wrist, placing identical kisses all along my forearm. I moved onto his lap and buried my face in his collar.

"I hate goodbyes," I mumbled.

Sergei rubbed comforting circles on my back. "Twelve days will be up before you know it."

****

For more on LIFE ON THE EDGE, visit my page here!


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And here are the other blogs participating in the hop... visit them for more chances to win!!!!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Music Monday

I'm writing this week's Music Monday as I prepare to evacuate in advance of Tropical Storm (soon to be Hurricane) Isaac. Please keep everyone on the Gulf Coast in your thoughts!

I need some feel-good music this week, so I'm listening to a couple of my favorite upbeat songs. The first one always reminds me of my first Ernst & Young staff training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach. There were some wild nights there. Who knew a bunch of tax accountants could have so much fun!

"You Get What You Give" by New Radicals

This second song was played constantly during the 2009 World Championships in Los Angeles. That was the week I also became a fan of Lady Gaga after hearing "Poker Face" on repeat at Staples Center.

"Beautiful" by Akon

GO AWAY, ISAAC!!!!!!



Monday, August 20, 2012

Music Monday

Got caught up in writing last week and forgot Music Monday! This week I'm embracing my inner teen and spotlighting a couple of catchy pop songs that I always have to sing along to. First, a current hit...

"Give Your Heart a Break" by Demi Lovato

And a blast from the past! I was obsessed with this song when I was in sixth grade.

"Only In My Dreams" by Debbie Gibson


Saturday, August 11, 2012

Olympic-Sized Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to Margie and Mandy, the winners of my Olympic-Sized Giveaway! Check your email for details on your prizes!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated and left comments about your favorite Olympic moments. I can't believe the Games are almost over. Now we'll have to start gearing up for Sochi 2014!

What events are coming up on my blog? Soon I'll be posting more details on EDGE OF THE PAST (coming Winter 2012 from Astraea Press!), and next month I'll be attending the inaugural U.S. Senior International competition in Salt Lake City. Look for lots of photos and reports!

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Thursday, August 2, 2012

Olympic-Sized Giveaway!


Do you have Olympic fever? Here are a few symptoms I've experienced:

1. Social media withdrawals from avoiding spoilers on Facebook and Twitter
2. Dragging in the morning after staying up late to watch every last minute of TV coverage
3. Screaming "Go! Go! Go!" at the TV during swim races
4. Having anxiety attacks while watching male gymnasts on the pommel horse

I can't get enough of the Games. I found myself watching water polo the other day and was fascinated. The Trampoline event? You bet I want to see that!

Since I write stories about Olympic athletes, I wanted to do something special on my blog during the Games, and what better way to celebrate the excitement of the Olympics than to have a giveaway! I'm giving away the following two prizes:

$10 Amazon gift card
Life on the Edge prize pack (includes a signed bookmark, the soundtrack CD, and other goodies!)

TWO PRIZES = TWO WINNERS!

 To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Open to U.S./Canada residents. Giveaway ends at midnight on Friday, August 10, 2012.

Thanks so much for participating!


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