Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog, page 201

Black Friday BlogHop - Running away from the Lines

Welcome to the Black Friday Blog Hop!

If you started here, then welcome! If you came here from another author - then welcome! So, if are reading this on Black Friday, you've either just came back from shopping, about to go shopping, or do what I do - shop online. LOL

The contest has ended, but thank you so much for all of the comments! Y'all rock!

I HATE lines. Honestly. I swear, every single person who has ever had a bad mood, saves it for Black Friday, then goes shopping with a motivation bent on revenge from the past year. Seriously.

My mother used to make me go with her. One day, I actually ended up with a black eye because some woman - I refrain from using the "c" word my mother used - wanted a toy that I had in my hand. I don't even remember the toy. I was 14, annoyed at the world and my mother, and all I remember is an elbow coming at my head with a scream.
My scream. And no, this is not me. This is a kid in makeup. But you get the idea.
The woman ran out with my toy. The toy I saved up to by for my sister. And it was the last one. I might have cried. And cursed. My mother let it go. Security did nothing. What can they do?
But I don't go shopping on Black Friday. I don't wanna have to slap a bitch. LOL

What I do though is shop online. I stay up until midnight, my list in my hand and shop the site. I go Overstock and Amazon.

I also shop at NewEgg. My hubby loves technology and can build his own computer. This year, I bought myself a Christmas present - a new laptop. HP is having a sale until the new year on building your own laptops. It makes me happy.



But really, what you need to do is be prepared. Have a list. Know what sales you want to catch. Know what things open. If you want to be up early - then be prepared. Don't bring your kids. Lines and angry people and hungry and winy kids DO NOT MIX.


Have backup plans. If someone takes the last of something you want, know what else you can get. Or be prepared to find it somewhere else. It's not the end of the world if you don't get the exact Kuerig coffee maker you want (FYI I'm in love with mine LOL).

The holidays shouldn't be about the gifts - it should be about love and family. But we all know that sometimes, we just want the gifts. If you do that - be smart. Don't be evil. Because then you'll end up with coal in your stocking. Not cool.

Shopping online for me, has saved me money. I can search the places I want and find the best discounts. Also, it saves on my court fees and hospital bills.

My Mother still tells the story of when she ran after a woman in the Mall and screamed at her. My lovely Mother who doesn't raise her voice.

But those of you venturing out there. Good luck. I will be here for you if you need it. Oh, and if you're looking for a gift... *cough cough hint hint* My debut release, and An Alpha's Path, is out Dec 5th. LOL But really, buy what you want - what your family wants. And Happy Holidays.



What are your worst experiences with Black Friday? Your best? Do you even shop on Black Friday? 

Welcome to our Black Friday blog hop! See below for the huge list of prizes!
One random commenter (can be on any of the blogs) will win a Kindle Fire, along with all the prizes below! That's the easiest kind of shopping I can think of... Prizes:- Cassandra Carr: copy of either of my two current releases, Talk to Me or Head Games
- Kristabel Reed: back list copy of one of her stories and then on her own blog a $10 GC plus a copy of her newest release, Risque, a Regency Menage Tale
- Lucy Felthouse: back list copy of any of her single-title books
- Cari Quinn: back list copy of one of her books
- Leigh Elwood: two back list copies of her books
- Natasha Blackthorne: copies of her two Regency era novellas: Grey's Lady and Waltz of Seduction
- Amber Kallyn: e-copy of Dragos 1- Camryn Rhys: Kindle copies of The Barn Dance and Off the Record - Foodie Erotic Romances
- Lissa Matthews: two of her back list books
- Misa Buckley: an e-copy of Ironhaven and To Reach the Dawn
- Lacey Wolfe: a copy of Ambers Muse
- Courtney Sheets: a $25 GC to Ravenous Romance and a copy of Kona Warrior - PDF
- Sara Brookes: an e-copy of one of my back list books
- Cynthia Arsuaga: a copy of an e-book, and on her own blog five book charm book tethers
- Louisa Bacio: .pdf copy of my first book in The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf series, and on her own blog a $10 certificate to Ravenous Romance, and each commenter will also be entered to win a Goody Bag of new Orleans treats
- Malia Mallory: one copy each of The ABC's of Erotica and Santa's Back Door Baby
- Cynthia Eden: a copy of Angel of Darkness (either print or digital)
- Carrie Ann Ryan: an e-copy of The Alpha's Path
- Jacquie Rogers: a Smashwords coupon for Faery Merry Christmas, plus on her own blog, a free copy of Much Ado About Marshals
So what are the rules? Simple: visit as many of the blogs as you can and leave a comment for the blog owner. For every comment, you'll get one entry into the grand-prize drawing. Be sure to leave your e-mail address with every comment so we can find you if you win! And don't forget that several blog owners are giving away prizes specific to their blog, too!One winner will be chosen on Saturday morning using random.org. I will contact that person about the Kindle Fire and then each blog owner with a prize will contact the winner themselves to arrange delivery of said prize. Questions? Contact me at AuthorCassandraCarr AT gmail DOT com.
Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Soul Mates in Real Life

One of my dearest author friends, Rebecca Royce, is back to visit! Love her. She's the reason I put pen to paper, so please everyone give her a hand! 



Rebecca is giving away  a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour -- Please follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better yourchances of winning. Click the logo to find the tour dates



Soul Mates In Real Life
When I first met my husband, who is the love of my life and the reason, I believe, for all of my dreams coming true, it felt like the universe had shifted when we fell in love. How did a girl from small town New Jersey end up marrying a gorgeous southern boy from exotic New Orleans?  We had a dream wedding. It was fantastic. 
These days, my soul mate and I still have a wonderful life.  We have 3 beautiful boys, great friends, family, and activities we adore doing together. I am so so so lucky.
But, soul mates in real life can go something like this:
My husband: Rebecca, are you going to pick up your clothes? Me: UmMy husband: Really? Are you?Me: Um. 
He is neater than I am.  In our books, we don't write about the trials of sharing chores and responsibility. Really, who would want to read about two people arguing about laundry?
In Love Beyond Sanity, there isn't time for the mundane. Not while they are fighting for their lives. I actually like to think that if the Outsiders complete their task, they will have time to worry about who needs to do the dishes. 
Rebecca rocks. Just saying. I've read this series, and LOVE it. 
As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.
Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.
She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.
In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.
http://www.rebeccaroyce.comhttp://www...
BLURB:Eighteen years earlier, Charma lost her destined soul mate. Convinced he must be dead, she kept her fears to herself so as not to destroy the morale of the Outsiders who already live with a shaky prophecy as their only guide.Dr. Jason Randall is a man used to getting what he wants. There has never been a problem he couldn't out think or a situation he wasn't capable of handling.Now they are both hunted by not one but two demons as they lead the slowly forming group of Outsiders out of the darkness and back into the light. The two strong souls will have to decide if prophecy alone is enough reason to stay together through insane odds...or if love is their true fate.
EXCERPT:Jason shook his head. This wasn't going to be easy. Maybe her arrival was a good thing. Maybe she was another piece of the puzzle he needed to solve his dilemma. "Self-loathing, the woman I've invented to come here and cause me tremendous pain as a way to punish myself for killing a man who assaulted me in the parking lot." Jason gestured around the hillside. "This whole thing is one giant guilt trip."Standing up, her eyebrows pressed inward, and she held a confused look in her eyes. They seemed to be searching for something but he wasn't clear on what.Finally, she spoke. "Listen to me very carefully. So much of what you just said makes no sense to me and we have zero time to sort it out. I'm not sure how to convince you that what I'm about to tell you is the absolute truth but it is. This is not some grand illusion. Not really.""That's just what a falsehood that didn't want to be proven wrong would say."

Rebecca is giving away  a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour -- Please follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better yourchances of winning. Click the logo to find the tour dates