THREE DRAWINGS TODAY

1) Match the guest authors and facts (enter by noon PST; drawing will be held at 1:00 p.m. PST).
2) Day 12 daily drawing (enter by 6:00 p.m. PST; drawing will be held immediately after).
3) Grand Prize drawing of a fully decorated Christmas tree (post a comment by 8:00 p.m. PST; drawing will be immediately after).

Friday, December 12, 2008

THANK YOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Wow--what a wonderful two weeks it has been!

I have so many people to thank who have helped me celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas countdown to the release of my second book, FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR, on December 12. 

Thank you to the guest authors who spent part of their valuable time here on the blog: Terri Reed, Nickie Fleming, C. L. Kraemer, Christina F. York, Christine Young, Minnette Meador, Paty Jager, Teri Brown, Delle Jacobs, and Elisabeth Naughton

Thanks also to everyone who stopped by to say hello and chat for awhile. It's so nice to meet new friends!

And congratulations to all the contest winners:
Day 1: Donna B.
Day 2: Tammy G.
Day 3: Samantha W.
Day 4: Paty J.
Day 5: Paula H.
Day 6: Pam R.
Day 7: Wanda
Day 8: Eliza K.
Day 9: Delle J.
Day 10: LuAnn
Day 11: Sarah M.
Day 12: Delilah M.
Bonus contest winner: Wanda
Grand Prize winner: Julie R. 

If I don't yet have your snail mail address, please e-mail that to me at **genene@genenevalleau.com**.

I will leave the blog open through December if you want to stop by again.

I will also be offering the special buys on my books and book bags through December with $1.00 of each purchase going to help build the spay/neuter clinic at Willamette Humane Society in Salem, Oregon. And, please, if you are thinking about adopting a pet, consider a shelter animal. (You can also meet my fur babies at www.quantumcanines.com.)

Many thanks to everyone. I hope to talk to you again soon!

AND THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER IS...

S. Claus, are you ready? 

We've double-checked our list of entrants for the grand prize drawing for a fully decorated Christmas tree. This includes everyone who has commented on the Twelve Days of Christmas blog, entered the bonus contest, as well as those who entered the Sept. 12, Oct. 12, and Nov. 12 contests promoting FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR. 

I'm glad you agreed to draw the winning name, Santa, because I want everyone to win! 

Twelve, eleven, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...

JULIE R., YOU ARE THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF A FULLY DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!


(Please contact our blog host at **genene@genenevalleau.com** for an address to deliver your grand prize!)

AND THE WINNER OF THE DAY 12 PRIZE IS...

DELILAH!

Ho, ho, ho, Delilah, and CONGRATULATIONS! If you send your snail mail address to our blog host, Genene, at **genene@genenevalleau.com** she'll make sure your package arrives soon!

We'll be back in less than two hours to announce the Grand Prize winner of a fully decorated Christmas tree. Remember, you can enter right up until 8:00 p.m. PST. Pesky timelines!

Ho, ho, ho!

S. Claus

AND THE WINNER OF THE BONUS CONTEST IS...

WANDA! 

Ho, ho, ho, Wanda! And congratulations from the time-challenged S. Claus!

All of your answers to the "match the authors and facts" bonus contest were correct and your name was drawn as the winner!

For those of you playing along, here are the correct answers:
A) Writes under two different pseudonyms: Chris Kraemer
B) Operates her own e-publishing company: Christine Young
C) Will celebrate her birthday on the day she guest blogs: Minette Meador
D) Her debut cover was designed by a well-known artist: Elisabeth Naughton
E) Writes inspirational suspense: Terri Reed
F) Has won the RWA Golden Heart three times: Delle Jacobs
G) Her horse was the model for one of her book covers: Paty Jager
H) Celebrates her 20th wedding anniversary this month: Teri Brown
I) Lives in Belgium and knows several different languages: Nickie Fleming
J) Drives a Volkswagen "Beetle": Christina F. York

Thanks to all who entered!

S. Claus

DAY 12: OPEN PROMOTION FOR AUTHORS AND THREE CONTEST DRAWINGS!!!


Author: Genene Valleau

Web site: www.genenevalleau.com

Special events: This blog :) and special buys earn $1.00 to help build the spay/neuter clinic at Willamette Humane Society in Salem, Oregon. Visit my Web site at www.genenevalleau.com for more details.

Latest release: FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR--A woman running from violence and a hero running from the past race a kidnapper to create a Christmas miracle for two children who believe in angels.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

AND THE DAY 11 WINNER IS...

Sarah McD!

CONGRATULATIONS, Sarah! Please contact me at **genene@genenevalleau.com** with your snail mail address and I'll send you a bag of goodies as soon as possible!

DAY 11 GUEST AUTHOR: ELISABETH NAUGHTON

Current release: STOLEN FURY

Web site: www.elisabethnaughton.com

Blog: www.elisabethnaughton.blogspot.com

What's on your wish list for Christmas: For my book to do really well. Other than that, just for my hubby's back to continue to improve after surgery. (I'm easy to please.)


Fascinating facts about the number eleven: 
Well, according to the famous Christmas poem, the eleventh day of Christmas saw eleven pipers piping. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a piper, and I’m not entirely sure I know what one looks like ‘piping’, but I can say I’m fascinated with the number eleven. It’s rumored to bring both good luck and bad. So I did a little research on this elusive number, and here’s what I found (you may be surprised...I sure was):

•Eleven is the smallest positive integer requiring three syllables in the English language.

•In astrology and basic numerology, the number eleven possesses the qualities of intuition, patience, honesty, sensitivity, and spirituality, and is often considered idealistic. Others tend to turn to people who are ‘Elevens’ for teaching and inspiration, and are usually uplifted by the experience.

•In a 12 Step Program, step eleven is a step of meditation and courage.

•A rocket must travel at over 11km per second to escape the Earth’s gravity.

•The deepest point of the ocean floor is 11km at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

•The average adult male heart weighs 11 ounces.

•11% of Japan is devoted to rice farming - enough to fulfill its own needs.

•A rugby ball is 11 inches long.

•World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

•The television show Cheers ran for 11 seasons with 11 main characters.

•The television show MASH ran for 11 seasons with 11 main characters.

•The space shuttle went up on its 11th mission, weighing 11 tons and fixed an errant satellite on the 11th day of the 11th month.

•The first lunar landing was made by Apollo 11.

•The record number of Oscar awards for any one movie is 11 - achieved by both “Titanic” and “Ben-Hur”.

•A major eclipse was observed throughout Europe on August 11, 1999 at 11:11 a.m.  

•The winter solstice of the last day of the Mayan calendar is at 11:11 am on 21 December 2012. 21December 2012 = 21/12/2012 = 2+1+1+2+2+0+1+2 = 11

•Aquarius is the eleventh sun sign of the zodiac system.

•The sunspot cycle or the solar cycle lasts for 11 years. The next solar cycle starts in 2012.

•September 11 is the 254 day of a year: 2+5+4 = 11
•There are 111 days from September 11 to December 31.
•The World Trade Center mirrored the number eleven: 11.
•The plane that hit the World Trade Center first was “Flight 11”
•The total number of crew on “Flight 11” was eleven.
•New York is the eleventh state of the US Constitution.
•It took eleven years to build the World Trade Center (1966 – 1977).

•In England, the decoration of the Easter cakes sometimes has eleven flowers or almond paste to represent the eleven good apostles of Jesus Christ. The treacherous Judas is excluded.

•The largest cat in the world is the Siberian tiger, measuring 11 feet long.

And…

•In astrology, the eleventh house is the segment that rules one’s friendship, hopes, social relations and desires.

Intriguing, isn’t it?

Of course, I still don’t have a clue what eleven pipers piping looks like (any suggestions???), but I now know a bunch of fun facts about the number eleven. And personally, I tend to find the time 11:11 to be very lucky. (But then, I’m one of those ‘the glass is half full’ kind of girls.)

So what does this tell you about me? Not much except for the fact I LOVE to do research (I can waste hours on research), and scientific facts – explained or not – fascinate me. You’ll find several in my upcoming debut – STOLEN FURY - (along with a good dose of spine-tingling adventure and lots of steamy romance), which releases December 30. And the coolest fact about my release?

The word December has 8 letters. If we use 8 to represent the word December, then add it to the numbers in 30, we get:

8 + 3 + 0 = 11

Weird, huh?

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

REMINDER OF BONUS CONTEST DRAWING ON DEC. 12

Please also remember the Bonus Contest drawing on December 12. To enter, match the names of the guest authors since December 2 with a fact about them. Details about the contest as well as the authors' names and facts can be found on my Web site at http://www.genenevalleau.com/contests4.html.

Guest authors have donated prizes for this drawing, which so far include a book from C. L. Kraemer,a download of Nickie Fleming's Feb. 1 book, a copy of SONGS OF THE HEART from me, as well as chocolate (of course) and two angel bells. 

Your answers must be received by noon on Friday, Dec. 12 to be entered in the drawing!

AND THE DAY 10 WINNER IS...

LUANN!

Congratulations, LuAnn! If you contact me at **genene@genenevalleau.com** with your snail mail address, I'll send your bag of goodies!

Thanks to all who have been commenting on the Twelve Days of Christmas contest blog. Just two more days until the grand prize drawing for a fully decorated Christmas Tree. Keep commenting and entering!

WE HAVE UPDATED INFORMATION FROM DELLE JACOBS!



SINS OF THE HEART available now in ebook
coming in print April 28, 2009
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/sins-of-the-heart

APHRODITE'S BREW available now in ebook
coming in print January 27, 2009
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/aphrodites-brew

Check out my videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wM2rJo1F5Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQSRV2mmsgc&feature=related


Web site: www.dellejacobs.com

Blog site: After the holidays and before I get too busy with the Royal Ascot, I plan to re-start my blog as In Search of Heroes. In the meantime I blog regularly with the Wet Noodle Posse at www.wetnoodleposse.blogspot.com and Rose City Romance Writers at www.rosecityromancewriters,blogspot.com

Favorite holiday books: There's no question my favorite holiday book of all time will always be Dickens' A Christmas Carol. I've read it many times and seen it over and over. Its message is timeless, that we all have a common duty to each other, and only together can we bring joy and happiness, peace to all mankind.

But if you're looking for something more current, the one I love is Sandy Blair's A Highlander for Christmas. Check it out. It's a great story!

DAY 10 GUEST AUTHOR: DELLE JACOBS


Author's Name: Delle Jacobs

Current Release: Sins of the Heart

Web site: www.dellejacobs.com

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

AND THE DAY 9 WINNER IS...

Delle J.!

Delle, congratulations! I'll be touch to get your snail mail address and send your goodies.  :)


DAY 9 GUEST AUTHOR: TERI BROWN

Author name: Teri Brown

Current release: Read My Lips

Web site: www.teribrownwrites.com

Blog: http://tjbrown.blogspot.com/

What's on your wish list: My wish list this year is a trip somewhere for my twentieth Anniversary which is on the 27th of December! I know, poor planning on our parts:)

Monday, December 8, 2008

AND THE DAY 8 WINNER IS...

ELIZA K.!

Congratulations, Eliza! Please contact me at **genene@genenevalleau.com** and let me know your snail mail address, so I can send your book bag of goodies.

Remember, everyone who comments is eligible to win a daily prize through December 12. Then everyone's name goes back in the contest hat for the grand prize drawing on Dec. 12 for a fully decorated Christmas tree.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

DAY 8 GUEST AUTHOR: PATY JAGER

Author Name: Paty Jager

Current release: Outlaw in Petticoats

Web site: http://www.patyjager.com

Blog site: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com

Favorite holiday memory: The Christmas I remember most is the one where everyone in my family was sick except for my dad and I. We had several feet of snow and we didn't have our Christmas tree yet. He and I took snow shoes, drove as far us the road as the old scout could go and put on the snow shoes. Then we hiked into the woods for a tree. Dad told me to stay away from the trees and bushes as there were air pockets. I'd be walking along , hurrying to keep up with my dad and "Whoosh!" I'd fall into an air pocket. He'd grab the back of my coat and pull me out of the hole. I'd dust the snow off and we' trudge on. I think I did this about three times before I smartened up and stayed back from the trees and bushes. We did get home with the top of a tree and Mom (who was very particular about her tree) was pleased!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

AND THE DAY 7 WINNER IS...

WANDA! 

Congratulations to the woman who gives away houses and vans! 

Wanda, please contact me at **genene@genenevalleau.com** with your snail mail address and I'll get your prizes in the mail to you.

Thank you once again for stopping by today!

FEATHERS IS AVAILABLE NOW FOR DOWNLOAD!!!

In addition to a great day with Minnette Meador as guest author, I received an e-mail today from my publisher, Awe-Struck E-Books, that FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR is available NOW as a download!

Although the official release date is December 12, this sneak preview is available now at http://awe-struck.net/AUTHORS52/fotf.html at the special price of $4.29 (regular download price will be $4.99). 

Here's a blurb about FEATHERS:

Psychiatrist Julia Cabot's life has always gone according to plan -- until her husband's charming affability explodes into violence. Terrified for her life and the safety of her children, Julia runs. She finds an unlikely haven with a man her children think is the angel they wished for after they find FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR. Former bodyguard Mitch Garrison is trained to protect, but something went fatally wrong five years ago when his wife was shot while helping an abused woman. Mitch's nightmares come to life when Julia appears, a jagged purple bruise marring her face. But when her ex-husband kidnaps her children, Julia and Mitch join forces in a journey that brings them face to face with their deepest fears and their most passionate desires. (You can also read an excerpt from the first chapter at the above link.)

More good news: I expect to have the print version around Dec. 12 from Rogue Phoenix Press, and am offering some special holiday prices on books and book bags, with $1.00 of each special buy going to help fund the spay/neuter clinic at Willamette Humane Society in Salem, Oregon. Yes, I am owned by a number of shelter alumni. :)  

Please visit my Web site at http://www.genenevalleau.com/Prices.html for details. I will do everything I can to ship these in time for Christmas gift giving. 

OK, a few more celebratory dance steps, and I'll announce the winner of today's daily prize...

DAY 7 AUTHOR: MINNETTE MEADOR

Author Name: Minnette Meador

Current release: The Edge of Honor

Web site url: www.minnettemeador.com

Blog site: http://minnettemeador.blogspot.com

Favorite holiday memory: My favorite memory of Christmas was the first Christmas morning my kids actually knew what was going on. My twins were about 2 and my oldest was 4. They screamed so loud, the neighbors heard them. There is nothing more infectious than the laughter of children...and now they listen to their own children laugh.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

AND THE DAY 6 WINNER IS...

Pam R.!

Congratulations, Pam! Just for stopping by the Twelve Days of Christmas blog and leaving a comment, you were entered into the drawing for one of twelve daily drawings. PLUS, your name will back in the contest hat for a chance to win the grand prize drawing on December 12 of a fully decorated Christmas tree!

I'll be contacting you about getting your bag of goodies to you!

DAY 6 GUEST AUTHOR: CHRISTINE YOUNG


Author Name: Christine Young

Current release: The Locket

Web site & blog: http://www.christineyoung.bz

Favorite holiday memory: Christmas is such a wonderful family time. It seems every year is very special. I just really don't have a favorite. But this year I'm counting down the days until my daughter comes home on December 15. 

What's on your wish list for Christmas: My wish list for Christmas this year--my daughter home safely and all my family around with us.

Friday, December 5, 2008

AND THE DAY 5 WINNER IS...

Paula H.!

Congratulations, Paula! I'll be contacting you about your book bag of goodies!

Thanks to everyone who is dropping by. Though you can only win one daily prize, every day you visit and enter means another chance to win the grand prize drawing on December 12.

Hope you are all feeling merry and bright (and not stressed)!

DAY 5 GUEST AUTHOR: CHRISTINA F. YORK

       

 Web site & blog: www.yorkwriters.com

Currently working on:  A series of mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. The first book, SINK TRAP, will be out in September 2009 and the second, LEAD PIPE CINCH, will be released in mid-2010. Her most recent releases include WITCH HIGH and ENCHANTMENT, fantasy anthologies from DAW Books. 


A few days ago a friend of mine posted on his blog (www.deanwesleysmith.com) about goals. A short discussion on goal-setting and eating the elephant, with a promise of more discussion to come. I won’t rehash what he said here, since you can easily follow the link and read it for yourself. With nearly 100 books sold, I think he knows what he’s talking about.

But there was a line in there that spoke to me in a way I really needed. Right. This. Minute. “Don’t pretend there is time when there isn’t…”

A writing career requires setting goals and planning how to meet them. It requires time management and resource allocation, and juggling priorities.

Most of all, it means being realistic about what we can really do. Learn your limits, the demands on your time that you can’t ignore, and what things you are willing to sacrifice.

Me? Scrubbing bathrooms and dusting knick-knacks are high on that list, along with makeup, fussing with my hair, and anything that requires ironing. Time to read is absolutely not, and the end of BOSTON LEGAL (boohoo) will give me back an hour each week that I wouldn’t give up otherwise.

The new year starts in a few weeks. It’s a time when we make resolutions with all the good intentions in the world, only to see them crash and burn a few weeks later when the realities of the world force us to stop pretending there’s time when there isn’t.

Between now and then, think about what your priorities are. What you can give up and what you can’t. What things are really important to you. Then, when you make your resolutions for the next year, be realistic.

Who knows? If you stop pretending, you might find yourself succeeding instead!


Bonus: A short (less than 1000 words) Christmas story from Christina F. York. To download FUDFIGHT, click here

Thursday, December 4, 2008

AND THE DAY 4 WINNER IS...

Paty J!

Paty, congratulations! You will soon have a book bag containing the Day 4 goodies!

Thanks for taking time from your busy day to stop by!

DAY 4 GUEST AUTHOR: C. L. Kraemer/CELIA COOPER

   


Current releases: Healthy Homicide (October 2008) and Cats in the Cradle of Civilization (December 2008)

Web site: www.celiacooper.com/www.clkraemer.com

What's on your wish list for Christmas: My Christmas wish is to find the one book combination that excites readers to the point they won't put my work down. I love writing and won't stop just because my "sales" aren't over the top of the charts, but like everyone else, I'd love to find my bank account in the black. Oh, yes, and I want to win million dollars so I can move back to Oregon and stay home near my grandkids and write, and I want to take a motorcycle riding class so I can get my own Harley-Davidson, and I want to win a trip to Scotland for writing inspiration, and...and...of course, world peace.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

AND THE DAY 3 WINNER IS...

SAMANTHA W.!

Congratulations, Samantha! Your three tiny erasers, two chocolate Santas, and a book about Stephanie Plum--along with a book bag--will soon be on their way to you!

Remember, even if you win one of the twelve daily prizes, you can still enter every day to give you more chances to win the December 12th grand prize of a fully decorated Christmas tree! 

DAY 3 GUEST AUTHOR: NICKIE FLEMING


Current release: Maria Gonzalez coming Feb. 1, 2009 (the previous release being a Dutch one)

Favorite book: Um... difficult! I like to read a lot, so have many favorite books & authors. One of the books I remember from my early youth was "Mara, Daughter of the Nile" by Eloise McGraw. Recently, I kind of prefer books John Connolly, Christopher Fowler, Paul Doherty, Val McDermid, Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton, Clive Cussler, Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins, Tami Hoag, .... probably forget one or two, but you get the drift!

Favorite holiday: The most beautiful place I ever visited was Machu Picchu in Peru, old city of the Inca's. Made a trip through Peru and Bolivia that was quite unforgettable. Also have fond memories of our safari through Kenya, our trip to Thailand (all in the 1980's) and more recently, the many trips to the USA. Also have seen most of Europe, including Russia and Turkey.

Fondest memory: Of my parents and greatparents

What's on my wish list: First of all, remain healthy for a long time to come, and then have a bestseller.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

AND THE DAY 2 WINNER IS...

TAMMY G!

Congratulations, Tammy! I will be contacting you about sending your goodies: two chocolate Santas and a Stephanie Plum novel, as well as a book bag. And your name will go back in the contest hat for the Grand Prize drawing on December 12!

DAY 2 FEATURED AUTHOR: TERRI REED


Terri's Web site:  http://www.loveinspiredauthors.com

Terri's blog site:  http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/

Favorite holiday book: One of my favorite holiday books is "The 25 Days of Christmas" by Rebecca Hayford Bauer. This books counts down the days to Christmas with recipes, suggestions of when to mail packages and cards, decoration ideas, hymns and devotions that bring the focus of Christmas to its true meaning, the birth of Christ. Don't get me wrong, I love all the gifts and the parties and treats of Christmas but amid all the commercial hoopla it's nice to have something to remind me every day that the spirit of Christmas isn't about presents and Santa but about God and His love of humanity.

Monday, December 1, 2008

AND THE WINNER IS...

Donna B.! CONGRATULATIONS, Donna!

If you send me your snail mail address to *genene@genenevalleau.com*, I'll send your prize: a Stephanie Plum book and a book bag. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. And, remember, your name will go in the contest hat for the grand prize drawing on December 12. Also, anyone else who commented today will stay in the contest hat for the next days' prizes (unless they win) as well as the grand prize drawing. 

Congratulations once again, Donna!

FIVE MORE MINUTES UNTIL THE PRIZE DRAWING...

According to the clock on my computer, we have five more minutes until the prize drawing. If anyone is reading the blog and wants to get in on the drawing, better hurry! :)

Saturday, November 29, 2008

DAY 1: A BIT ABOUT THIS SPECIAL EVENT


Welcome to the Twelve Days of Christmas special event to celebrate the release of my second novel, FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR, on December 12, 2008! The downloadable version of FEATHERS will be released from Awe-Struck E-Books; the print version is being released from Rogue Phoenix Press on the same day.

In this story, Mitch Garrison and Julia Cabot find their own happily ever after. Mitch and Julia were introduced in SONGS OF THE HEART, which was released in April 2008. FEATHERS explodes into action when Julia's husband turns violent. Terrified for her life and the safety of her children, Julia runs. She finds a haven with former bodyguard, Mitch Garrison, whom her children think is the angel they wished for after they find FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR near him. Mitch is trained to protect, but something went fatally wrong five years ago when his wife was shot while helping an abused woman. The jagged purple bruise marring Julia's face brings Mitch's nightmare to life. Their uneasy truce becomes a partnership when Julia's ex-husband kidnaps her children. A journey through the worst winter storm Oregon has seen in decades brings Mitch and Julia face to face with their deepest fears and their most passionate desires. Will Christmas morning bring a miracle or disaster...or maybe both?

The release of FEATHERS this holiday season brings me great joy for several reasons. I get to share another story with readers, and that gives me a reason to give away "stuff." I really like putting together prize baskets and have received some touching e-mails from the winners. 

You will also meet some wonderful authors during this Twelve Days event. Each of these authors has offered encouragement and helped other writers on the sometimes challenging journey of getting words on paper. I am pleased to share their latest releases and a glimpse or two into their lives. I hope you will visit their Web sites and blogs to find out more about these generous, talented people.

This book release also provides the opportunity to help shelter dogs. Yep, a stray dog is featured in FEATHERS, and he plays a key role in rescuing Julia's children. I also have the honor of sharing my life with several shelter alumni. However, I know not every animal who comes to a shelter finds a happily ever after. I know there are more dogs and cats than families looking to adopt pets. That's why I'm donating one dollar from the sale of each "special buy" book and book bag on my Web site <www.genenevalleau.com> to help fund the spay/neuter clinic at Willamette Humane Society in Salem, Oregon. A gift for yourself or someone special means a gift for the animals. 

And, now, on with the celebration!