Crystal Collier's Blog, page 23
December 11, 2013
The Mystery Sentence Game & Truth or Lie
It's crazy inside my head. Have you ever felt that way?
Everyone keeps telling me I should take a break after this amazing blog tour, and yet things keep coming: new feature possibilities, wrapping up giveaways, writing deadlines, an imminent visit from my mother in law--which means an immaculate cleaning of the house--Christmas...oh let's not forget the importance of Christmas. (Have you built a list yet? I just barely finished, and am giving away to the indecisive monster who occasionally dominates my head. Yes, I know that's what I want to buy him, but which one? And if I hit the buy button am I going to find a better one tomorrow and kick myself? *chewing nails*)
*ahem* Back on topic. So I'm going away. Far, far away on a big ship with tropical sunshine and NO INTERNET. In fact, I'm already gone on a CRUISE.
(No, no, silly. Not that kind of cruise.)
Are you jealous?
Obviously that means I can't check in with all my favorite bloggies, or shout about the amazing Dani Chapman featuring my book TODAY or Rachel Schieffelbein hosting me on her site Monday. (Love you ladies!)
But, that doesn't stop me from announcing the Truth or Lie winners from my virtual tour. There were 6 Truth or Lie segments, and if you want to know how tricky these were, not even my relatives could guess correctly--so if you did, you're a super sleuth. Or really lucky.
Either way, if you want to review the game, check out the hosts:
Gwen Gardner with Kid StuffCarried Butler with AdventurezC. Lee McKenzie with Random FactzElizabeth Seckman with Music Nicole Zoltack with Family FactzClare Dugmore with Theater Thingz
And the lucky winners are:NAME NAME NAME
Congrats! I'll be in touch after I get back in town, provided my head is still attached. (You never know.) Today is the final call for The Mystery Sentence Game. Get your sentence submitted today! Winners will be notified by email.
So, what have you got going that's head-explody?
Everyone keeps telling me I should take a break after this amazing blog tour, and yet things keep coming: new feature possibilities, wrapping up giveaways, writing deadlines, an imminent visit from my mother in law--which means an immaculate cleaning of the house--Christmas...oh let's not forget the importance of Christmas. (Have you built a list yet? I just barely finished, and am giving away to the indecisive monster who occasionally dominates my head. Yes, I know that's what I want to buy him, but which one? And if I hit the buy button am I going to find a better one tomorrow and kick myself? *chewing nails*)
*ahem* Back on topic. So I'm going away. Far, far away on a big ship with tropical sunshine and NO INTERNET. In fact, I'm already gone on a CRUISE.
(No, no, silly. Not that kind of cruise.)Are you jealous?
Obviously that means I can't check in with all my favorite bloggies, or shout about the amazing Dani Chapman featuring my book TODAY or Rachel Schieffelbein hosting me on her site Monday. (Love you ladies!)
But, that doesn't stop me from announcing the Truth or Lie winners from my virtual tour. There were 6 Truth or Lie segments, and if you want to know how tricky these were, not even my relatives could guess correctly--so if you did, you're a super sleuth. Or really lucky.
Either way, if you want to review the game, check out the hosts:
Gwen Gardner with Kid StuffCarried Butler with AdventurezC. Lee McKenzie with Random FactzElizabeth Seckman with Music Nicole Zoltack with Family FactzClare Dugmore with Theater Thingz
And the lucky winners are:NAME NAME NAME
Congrats! I'll be in touch after I get back in town, provided my head is still attached. (You never know.) Today is the final call for The Mystery Sentence Game. Get your sentence submitted today! Winners will be notified by email.
So, what have you got going that's head-explody?
December 9, 2013
WINNERS!!!
The blog tour is over, the games are done, and now there's only one things left to do.
Eat cheese.
Okay, maybe I should announce the winners too. Got your wedge of cheddar out? Here we go!
Rafflecopter Winners
Cohlina Mae: Butterman Time Travel Inc. signed copyElizabeth Barbarick: $25 Gift CardTammy Theriault: $25 CheeseLeslie Rodriguez: MoonlessKim Hong: MoonlessSteph Payton: Moonless
Truth or Lie
Kimberly Afe
Suzanne Furness
Angela Brown
Mystery Sentence Game
Winners will be contacted individually via email.
Writerly Wednesday
Last week Sharon Johnston shared two truths and one lie about herself and those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing to win a copy of her awesome book, Sleeper.
The options were:
1. When she was young, Sharon was convinced she was adopted because she looked so different from the rest of her family.2. She herded an echidna across the road.
3. She played a nun in The Sound of Music for her school play.
And the lie is:
#3. She actually played Leisel, not a nun. Ooh, tricky, tricky!
The winner is...
Julie Flanders!!!
Congrats winners! And now, I'm off on a writing retreat. I'll be back next Monday after my brain has been sufficiently drained of all writerly awesomeness to bestow awards and pretend at being human.
If you could go anywhere to just relax and create, where would you go?
December 6, 2013
My New $40,000.00 TV
That's right--this thing is so posh only a debut author who has sold her soul could afford it. 
All 85 inches of sheer awesomeness now wrap my front room* in masterful media so powerful it will blow the collector away when he comes to reposes my soul...er, visit for tea.
*No, I don't actually own this TV. BUT I SHOULD. LOL!
Ahem, so I stumbled across this masterpiece, and I just had to share. If you need a chuckle, check out the reviews HERE.
A sneak peak of what you'll find:
"At first I hesitated to make the purchase, but then I saw the two AA batteries were free with the remote, and I was all in!"
"We got this beauty to replace the bridge's main viewscreen after the last time Sulu traded paint with the Excelsior."
"Although pricey, this beautiful hammock stand is very sturdy and will endure harsh weather and horse bites. Note that the lonely tree landscape it's not real but i get enough of those already, so it's fine."
"My wife and I bought this after selling our daughter Amanda into white slavery. We actually got a refurbished. It's missing the remote, but oh well-- for $10K off, I can afford a universal, right? The picture is amazing. I've never seen the world with such clarity.
Amanda, if you're reading this, hang in there, honey! We'll see you in a year."
See what I mean? Go have a chuckle. And happy Friday. What creative spin would you take on a review?
All 85 inches of sheer awesomeness now wrap my front room* in masterful media so powerful it will blow the collector away when he comes to reposes my soul...er, visit for tea. *No, I don't actually own this TV. BUT I SHOULD. LOL!
Ahem, so I stumbled across this masterpiece, and I just had to share. If you need a chuckle, check out the reviews HERE.
A sneak peak of what you'll find:
"At first I hesitated to make the purchase, but then I saw the two AA batteries were free with the remote, and I was all in!"
"We got this beauty to replace the bridge's main viewscreen after the last time Sulu traded paint with the Excelsior."
"Although pricey, this beautiful hammock stand is very sturdy and will endure harsh weather and horse bites. Note that the lonely tree landscape it's not real but i get enough of those already, so it's fine."
"My wife and I bought this after selling our daughter Amanda into white slavery. We actually got a refurbished. It's missing the remote, but oh well-- for $10K off, I can afford a universal, right? The picture is amazing. I've never seen the world with such clarity.
Amanda, if you're reading this, hang in there, honey! We'll see you in a year."
See what I mean? Go have a chuckle. And happy Friday. What creative spin would you take on a review?
December 4, 2013
ISWG and Writerly Wednesday
Are you ready to win a book and test your lie detecting skills? It's time for Writerly Wednesday!
Writerly Wednesdays here are for readers and writers. Get to know authors, test your human lie detector skills, and WIN books.
But first...
Publishing has been a LONG journey for me, and as excited as I am about this step, I'm also apprehensive about what it means for the future. I have a young family. We home school. Will I be able to devote adequate time to all my priorities--but most especially to my littles? While these apprehensions are a constant pressure at the back of my mind, all the amazing reviews, emails and feedback fill me with immeasurable joy and leave me wondering why I took so long to get here. Life is a constant balancing game, eh?
Okay, who's ready for the winner of last week's game? Erin Albert shared two truths and one lie about herself and those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing to win a copy of her awesome book, The Prophecy.
The options were:
1. Erin had a male dog named Lassie who got eaten by an alligator.
2. In college she played a male character (actually a female character pretending to be a male), and a girl hit on her thinking she was a real boy.
3. She was asked to consider being Gertie from ET for a possible sequel when she was a little girl, but refused because she's terrified of ET.
And the lie is:
#1. She didn't have a dog eaten by a gator, but her cousin did. Yikes! I'm that much more afraid of standing water here in Florida now.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Sherry Ellis!
Congrats, Sherry!
And now for this week's special feature. In 2012, I entered the Pitch Wars contest hosted by the fabulous Brenda Drake. I didn't expect anything to come of it, but OH was I surprised! Sharon Johnston had a fistfight with another writing coach to take on my book, and she not only helped me find the RIGHT title, but whipped Moonless into shape. She's amazing, and I feel honored and lucky to be able to share her BRAND SPANKIN NEW book with you today.
A new heart should mean new life, not a living nightmare.
Mishca Richardson’s life is at an all-time high after her heart transplant. With new boyfriend, Ryder, the two of them have the perfect summer romance. Even the nightmares that have been plaguing her sleep since her operation can’t dull the high she’s on.
Things start to unravel as Mishca develops superhuman abilities. She does her best to hide them so as not to end up a science experiment in a lab. But she can’t ignore the instant attraction she experiences when she meets her university professor, Colin Reed.
Torn between the blossoming love and the obsession, Mishca must decide if she wants Ryder or Colin. But the organization responsible for her changes and her connection to Colin, is moving to secure Mishca for himself so that she can be the weapon he always intended her to be. If Mishca can’t resist her programming she’ll have a lot more to worry about than romance.
This NA Speculative Fiction is already on my kindle. Buy it HERE, or add it on Goodreads.
Ready to meet Sharon?
Sharon is a writer from Mackay in Queensland, Australia who has short stories published in anthologies and was also runner-up in the Australian Literary Review's Young Adult short story contest with KARMA. Her debut novel SLEEPER is now out.
By day she is a public relations executive and by night she writes weird fiction and soulful contemporaries while her husband, two sons and cat are fast asleep.
She can be found eating smoked Danish cheese while lounging at the pool.
Sharon gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Can you figure out the lie? Those who do will go into my magic hat for a chance to win a copy of her book. Eek! How cool is that? You have until Tuesday, December 10th at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on December 12th.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. When she was young, Sharon was convinced she was adopted because she looked so different from the rest of her family.
2. She herded an echidna across the road.
3. She played a nun in The Sound of Music for her school play.
Okay, which is the lie? And writers, how do you keep a balance?
Writerly Wednesdays here are for readers and writers. Get to know authors, test your human lie detector skills, and WIN books.
But first...
Publishing has been a LONG journey for me, and as excited as I am about this step, I'm also apprehensive about what it means for the future. I have a young family. We home school. Will I be able to devote adequate time to all my priorities--but most especially to my littles? While these apprehensions are a constant pressure at the back of my mind, all the amazing reviews, emails and feedback fill me with immeasurable joy and leave me wondering why I took so long to get here. Life is a constant balancing game, eh? Okay, who's ready for the winner of last week's game? Erin Albert shared two truths and one lie about herself and those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing to win a copy of her awesome book, The Prophecy.
The options were:
1. Erin had a male dog named Lassie who got eaten by an alligator.
2. In college she played a male character (actually a female character pretending to be a male), and a girl hit on her thinking she was a real boy.
3. She was asked to consider being Gertie from ET for a possible sequel when she was a little girl, but refused because she's terrified of ET.
And the lie is:
#1. She didn't have a dog eaten by a gator, but her cousin did. Yikes! I'm that much more afraid of standing water here in Florida now.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Sherry Ellis!
Congrats, Sherry!
And now for this week's special feature. In 2012, I entered the Pitch Wars contest hosted by the fabulous Brenda Drake. I didn't expect anything to come of it, but OH was I surprised! Sharon Johnston had a fistfight with another writing coach to take on my book, and she not only helped me find the RIGHT title, but whipped Moonless into shape. She's amazing, and I feel honored and lucky to be able to share her BRAND SPANKIN NEW book with you today.
A new heart should mean new life, not a living nightmare.Mishca Richardson’s life is at an all-time high after her heart transplant. With new boyfriend, Ryder, the two of them have the perfect summer romance. Even the nightmares that have been plaguing her sleep since her operation can’t dull the high she’s on.
Things start to unravel as Mishca develops superhuman abilities. She does her best to hide them so as not to end up a science experiment in a lab. But she can’t ignore the instant attraction she experiences when she meets her university professor, Colin Reed.
Torn between the blossoming love and the obsession, Mishca must decide if she wants Ryder or Colin. But the organization responsible for her changes and her connection to Colin, is moving to secure Mishca for himself so that she can be the weapon he always intended her to be. If Mishca can’t resist her programming she’ll have a lot more to worry about than romance.
This NA Speculative Fiction is already on my kindle. Buy it HERE, or add it on Goodreads.
Ready to meet Sharon?
Sharon is a writer from Mackay in Queensland, Australia who has short stories published in anthologies and was also runner-up in the Australian Literary Review's Young Adult short story contest with KARMA. Her debut novel SLEEPER is now out.By day she is a public relations executive and by night she writes weird fiction and soulful contemporaries while her husband, two sons and cat are fast asleep.
She can be found eating smoked Danish cheese while lounging at the pool.
Sharon gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Can you figure out the lie? Those who do will go into my magic hat for a chance to win a copy of her book. Eek! How cool is that? You have until Tuesday, December 10th at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on December 12th.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. When she was young, Sharon was convinced she was adopted because she looked so different from the rest of her family.
2. She herded an echidna across the road.
3. She played a nun in The Sound of Music for her school play.
Okay, which is the lie? And writers, how do you keep a balance?
December 2, 2013
What's Under the Mask
Do you have a secret dream?
Image courtesy of Masai MaraFor more than twenty years I've been dreaming of this magical day when my stories would finally be unleashed on the world. --And while that's a worthy and amazing goal, my blog tour taught me something I have a tendency to forget.
Why I write stories.
As I've hopped around, visiting 20 to 100 new blogs a day, I've met some truly amazing people. Your stories lift me. Your hopes and struggles resonate deep. Your willingness to open up inspires me.
Image courtesy of MahPadilhaAnd you remind me of the masks we wear. I'm a social butterfly, happy to flit from one place to another, light and jovial, quick with a goofy comeback, cheesy if you will. That's the mask most people see, and I like being that person. So then why am I writing stories that are intense, harsh, and definitely not cheesy?
When I write fiction, I take off the mask.
*gasp*
Being a writer allows me to express my understanding of the human condition without offending, or putting people on the spot. It allows me to see through other people's eyes and explore the deepest longings we all experience but rarely have the courage to voice.
I write to show that we are all people with unique hopes and dreams, precious, important, and needed.
So don't expect cheese in my books...although there are light moments and I may eventually branch into publishing comedy one day. (Shhhh!) Do expect to experience a range of emotions and come away knowing that even the most insignificant person among us is important.
Okay, rant over. To tie up the blog tour...
RAFFLE COPTER WINNERS
Cohlina Mae: Butterman Time Travel Inc. signed copy
Elizabeth Barbarick: $25 Gift Card
Tammy Theriault: $25 Cheese
Leslie Rodriguez: Moonless
Kim Hong: Moonless
Steph Payton: Moonless
You can still win with the...
Truth or Lie Game
Gwen Gardner with Kid StuffCarried Butler with AdventurezC. Lee McKenzie with Random FactzElizabeth Seckman with Music Nicole Zoltack with Family FactzCalre Dugmore with Theater Thingz
OR
Mystery Sentence Game (I'll give you a hint: look at the Excerpt # to figure out the word ORDER.)
Jennifer Bielman and Heather McCorkle #1Crystal Collier and Michelle Wallace #2Emilyann Girdner #3Cathrina Constantine and Christine Rains #4Medeia Sharif and Julie Flanders #5Jessie Harrell and Ashley Nixon #6Clare Dugmore and Elise Fallson #7Suzanne Furness and Chrys Fey #8
But you only have until Sunday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. EDT to enter.
Do you feel like you wear a mask?
Image courtesy of Masai MaraFor more than twenty years I've been dreaming of this magical day when my stories would finally be unleashed on the world. --And while that's a worthy and amazing goal, my blog tour taught me something I have a tendency to forget. Why I write stories.
As I've hopped around, visiting 20 to 100 new blogs a day, I've met some truly amazing people. Your stories lift me. Your hopes and struggles resonate deep. Your willingness to open up inspires me.
Image courtesy of MahPadilhaAnd you remind me of the masks we wear. I'm a social butterfly, happy to flit from one place to another, light and jovial, quick with a goofy comeback, cheesy if you will. That's the mask most people see, and I like being that person. So then why am I writing stories that are intense, harsh, and definitely not cheesy?When I write fiction, I take off the mask.
*gasp*
Being a writer allows me to express my understanding of the human condition without offending, or putting people on the spot. It allows me to see through other people's eyes and explore the deepest longings we all experience but rarely have the courage to voice.
I write to show that we are all people with unique hopes and dreams, precious, important, and needed.
So don't expect cheese in my books...although there are light moments and I may eventually branch into publishing comedy one day. (Shhhh!) Do expect to experience a range of emotions and come away knowing that even the most insignificant person among us is important.
Okay, rant over. To tie up the blog tour...
RAFFLE COPTER WINNERS
Cohlina Mae: Butterman Time Travel Inc. signed copy
Elizabeth Barbarick: $25 Gift Card
Tammy Theriault: $25 Cheese
Leslie Rodriguez: Moonless
Kim Hong: Moonless
Steph Payton: Moonless
You can still win with the...
Truth or Lie Game
Gwen Gardner with Kid StuffCarried Butler with AdventurezC. Lee McKenzie with Random FactzElizabeth Seckman with Music Nicole Zoltack with Family FactzCalre Dugmore with Theater Thingz
OR
Mystery Sentence Game (I'll give you a hint: look at the Excerpt # to figure out the word ORDER.)
Jennifer Bielman and Heather McCorkle #1Crystal Collier and Michelle Wallace #2Emilyann Girdner #3Cathrina Constantine and Christine Rains #4Medeia Sharif and Julie Flanders #5Jessie Harrell and Ashley Nixon #6Clare Dugmore and Elise Fallson #7Suzanne Furness and Chrys Fey #8
But you only have until Sunday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. EDT to enter.
Do you feel like you wear a mask?
November 30, 2013
THE END...Of the WORLD!
And you thought that was supposed to happen in 2012? Silly!
So this isn't really the end of the world, or is it? I've had a few friends accuse me of having taken over the blog world, but it's time for my reign to end. While I'm wiping my brow in relief, a part of me is also very sad. It's been amazing getting to know so many new friends on the blogosphere.
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.
Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
Goodreads | Buy NowSo let's wrap this up with a bang of glory. You still have several chances to win. Enter the rafflecopter. Play the Mystery Sentence Game. Test your human lie detector skills with the Truth or Lie game. See the full listing of EVENTS.
Want to meet the dangerous blue-eyed stranger with Alexia? Chrys Fey takes you there with Excerpt #8 in the Mystery Sentence Game: Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Gather all 8 hidden words from the excerpts and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting!
Sherry Auger shares her review of Moonless.
Amy at Involuntary Smiles has me chatting about that magic moment when I became a serious writer.
What is the hardest "the end" you ever experienced?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So this isn't really the end of the world, or is it? I've had a few friends accuse me of having taken over the blog world, but it's time for my reign to end. While I'm wiping my brow in relief, a part of me is also very sad. It's been amazing getting to know so many new friends on the blogosphere.
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural. Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
Goodreads | Buy NowSo let's wrap this up with a bang of glory. You still have several chances to win. Enter the rafflecopter. Play the Mystery Sentence Game. Test your human lie detector skills with the Truth or Lie game. See the full listing of EVENTS.
Want to meet the dangerous blue-eyed stranger with Alexia? Chrys Fey takes you there with Excerpt #8 in the Mystery Sentence Game: Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Gather all 8 hidden words from the excerpts and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting!
Sherry Auger shares her review of Moonless.
Amy at Involuntary Smiles has me chatting about that magic moment when I became a serious writer.
What is the hardest "the end" you ever experienced?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
November 29, 2013
Should Readers Be Allowed to Edit Books?
This video cracks me up. It's also a great concept, and I'm hoping the technology becomes available.
If you could edit your books, would you? If so, what kind of content would you block?
Only two more days left of the blog tour...
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.
Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
Goodreads | Buy NowWant to learn about the mystery behind the moonless night? Julie Flanders shares Excerpt #5 in the Mystery Sentence Game: Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Gather all 8 hidden words from the excerpts and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting!
Where did MOONLESS come from? Learn the story behind the story with Misha Gericke.
Have you ever read a book that truly offended you?
Only a couple more days to enter. Do it NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you could edit your books, would you? If so, what kind of content would you block?
Only two more days left of the blog tour...
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural. Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
Goodreads | Buy NowWant to learn about the mystery behind the moonless night? Julie Flanders shares Excerpt #5 in the Mystery Sentence Game: Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Gather all 8 hidden words from the excerpts and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting!
Where did MOONLESS come from? Learn the story behind the story with Misha Gericke.
Have you ever read a book that truly offended you?
Only a couple more days to enter. Do it NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Teach Your Kids to Curse Like a Sailor
Or not...
This video cracks me up. It's also a great concept, and I'm hoping the technology becomes available.
If you could edit your books, would you? If so, what kind of content would you block?
Only two more days left of the blog tour...
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.
Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
Goodreads | Buy Now Want to learn about the mystery behind the moonless night? Julie Flanders shares Excerpt #5 in the Mystery Sentence Game: Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Gather all 8 hidden words from the excerpts and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting!
Where did MOONLESS come from? Learn the story behind the story with Misha Gericke.
Have you ever read a book that truly offended you?
Only a couple more days to enter. Do it NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This video cracks me up. It's also a great concept, and I'm hoping the technology becomes available.
If you could edit your books, would you? If so, what kind of content would you block?
Only two more days left of the blog tour...
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural. Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
Goodreads | Buy Now Want to learn about the mystery behind the moonless night? Julie Flanders shares Excerpt #5 in the Mystery Sentence Game: Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Gather all 8 hidden words from the excerpts and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting!
Where did MOONLESS come from? Learn the story behind the story with Misha Gericke.
Have you ever read a book that truly offended you?
Only a couple more days to enter. Do it NOW!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
November 28, 2013
Counting Your...
Blessings?
I'm one of those super grateful people:
Grateful for my incredible family.Grateful for all the people in my life--especially the ones who overlook my brainless moments and love me anyway. Grateful for an amazing editor. Grateful for the opportunity to share my writing with the world. Grateful for a life so full and complete, I have no room to complain. Ever. Grateful for my almost complete blog tour and everyone who has kindly helped out.I LOVE YOU PEOPLE!
What are you grateful for today?
TODAY:
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.
Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless. Goodreads | Buy Now
Excerpt #8 in the Mystery Sentence Game with Suzanne Furness. Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Hidden in each of the 8 blog tour excerpts is a single word. Gather all 8 and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting!
Meet my amazing coach from Pitch Wars 2012, Sharon Johnston, and see what she and her buddies think of MOONLESS.
Katharina Gerlach pries free truths about the secreted world of the Passionate. Get the insiders scoop!
Are you playing the Mystery Sentence Game? What are you most grateful for?
Happy Thanksgiving--now go enter for a chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'm one of those super grateful people:
Grateful for my incredible family.Grateful for all the people in my life--especially the ones who overlook my brainless moments and love me anyway. Grateful for an amazing editor. Grateful for the opportunity to share my writing with the world. Grateful for a life so full and complete, I have no room to complain. Ever. Grateful for my almost complete blog tour and everyone who has kindly helped out.I LOVE YOU PEOPLE!
What are you grateful for today?
TODAY:
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural. Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless. Goodreads | Buy Now
Excerpt #8 in the Mystery Sentence Game with Suzanne Furness. Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Hidden in each of the 8 blog tour excerpts is a single word. Gather all 8 and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting!
Meet my amazing coach from Pitch Wars 2012, Sharon Johnston, and see what she and her buddies think of MOONLESS.
Katharina Gerlach pries free truths about the secreted world of the Passionate. Get the insiders scoop!
Are you playing the Mystery Sentence Game? What are you most grateful for?
Happy Thanksgiving--now go enter for a chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
November 27, 2013
Giveaways Up to Our Ears!
Are you ready to win a book? Or three? It's time for Writerly Wednesday!
Writerly Wednesdays here are for readers and writers. Get to know authors, test your human lie detector skills, and WIN books.
Okay, who's ready for the winner of last week's game? Pk Hrezo shared two truths and one lie about herself and those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing to win a copy of her awesome book, Butterman Time Travel, Inc.
The options were:
1. Pk Hrezo loves broccoli stems, but abhors celery.
2. She adores country music.
3. She hates nail polish.
And the lie is:
#2. Although an admitted red-neck, she can't get into country music. She insists celery is evil and will not wear nail polish because it's unnatural.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Liz Blocker!
Congrats, Liz!
And now for this week's special feature, check out Erin Albert's THE PROPHECY!
Growing up on a small farm in the kingdom of Vanguard, seventeen-year-old Layla Givens lives a deceptively tranquil existence. But her carefully constructed life quickly falls apart when she’s abducted by a religious zealot who proclaims her The Fulfillment of an ancient peace prophecy and whisks her away to marry her greatest enemy.
Wilhelm, Prince of the Ethereals, is reluctant to meet his new bride. He's grown up believing Vanguards are evil, an enemy to fight and fear...not love. Can he set aside his prejudices and work alongside Layla to bring lasting peace after centuries of war?
Nash, a loner who has never fit in, carries a huge secret, one big enough to destroy both kingdoms. When he accidently meets Layla, he’s no longer content to live in the shadows, but he must resist his growing attraction—for her safety and for the longevity of the two kingdoms.
When Nash's secret is revealed, a firestorm sweeps through both realms, with Layla at the center. Now she must choose between duty and desire while the fate of two nations hangs in the balance.
The Prophesy has been out for less than two weeks (so tell Erin congrats in the comments!) and you can pick up your copy HERE.
Shall we meet Erin?
Erin Albert is an author, editor,
Her favorite cheese is that fake, goopy, orange nacho cheese, and she can be found chowing down on it at sporting events or carnivals.
Find her on the web HERE.
Erin gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Can you figure out the lie? Those who do will go into my magic hat for a chance to win a copy of her book. Eek! How cool is that? You have until Tuesday, December 3rd at 1 p.m. to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on December 4th.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Erin had a male dog named Lassie who got eaten by an alligator.
2. In college she played a male character (actually a female character pretending to be a male), and a girl hit on her thinking she was a real boy.
3. She was asked to consider being Gertie from ET for a possible sequel when she was a little girl, but refused because she's terrified of ET.
If that wasn't enough, here's another chance to win:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, there are only a couple more days left of the...
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.
Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
Goodreads | Buy Now
So how do I write books? Julie Musil gets to the reason behind my author tag line.
Read Excerpt #3 in the Mystery Sentence Game with Emilyann Girder: Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Gather all 8 hidden words from the excerpts and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting
Okay human lie detectors, which is the lie?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Writerly Wednesdays here are for readers and writers. Get to know authors, test your human lie detector skills, and WIN books.
Okay, who's ready for the winner of last week's game? Pk Hrezo shared two truths and one lie about herself and those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing to win a copy of her awesome book, Butterman Time Travel, Inc.
The options were:
1. Pk Hrezo loves broccoli stems, but abhors celery.
2. She adores country music.
3. She hates nail polish.
And the lie is:
#2. Although an admitted red-neck, she can't get into country music. She insists celery is evil and will not wear nail polish because it's unnatural.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Liz Blocker!
Congrats, Liz!
And now for this week's special feature, check out Erin Albert's THE PROPHECY!
Growing up on a small farm in the kingdom of Vanguard, seventeen-year-old Layla Givens lives a deceptively tranquil existence. But her carefully constructed life quickly falls apart when she’s abducted by a religious zealot who proclaims her The Fulfillment of an ancient peace prophecy and whisks her away to marry her greatest enemy.Wilhelm, Prince of the Ethereals, is reluctant to meet his new bride. He's grown up believing Vanguards are evil, an enemy to fight and fear...not love. Can he set aside his prejudices and work alongside Layla to bring lasting peace after centuries of war?
Nash, a loner who has never fit in, carries a huge secret, one big enough to destroy both kingdoms. When he accidently meets Layla, he’s no longer content to live in the shadows, but he must resist his growing attraction—for her safety and for the longevity of the two kingdoms.
When Nash's secret is revealed, a firestorm sweeps through both realms, with Layla at the center. Now she must choose between duty and desire while the fate of two nations hangs in the balance.
The Prophesy has been out for less than two weeks (so tell Erin congrats in the comments!) and you can pick up your copy HERE.
Shall we meet Erin?
Erin Albert is an author, editor,Her favorite cheese is that fake, goopy, orange nacho cheese, and she can be found chowing down on it at sporting events or carnivals.
Find her on the web HERE.
Erin gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Can you figure out the lie? Those who do will go into my magic hat for a chance to win a copy of her book. Eek! How cool is that? You have until Tuesday, December 3rd at 1 p.m. to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on December 4th.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Erin had a male dog named Lassie who got eaten by an alligator.
2. In college she played a male character (actually a female character pretending to be a male), and a girl hit on her thinking she was a real boy.
3. She was asked to consider being Gertie from ET for a possible sequel when she was a little girl, but refused because she's terrified of ET.
If that wasn't enough, here's another chance to win:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, there are only a couple more days left of the...
Jane Eyre meets Supernatural. Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
Goodreads | Buy Now
So how do I write books? Julie Musil gets to the reason behind my author tag line.
Read Excerpt #3 in the Mystery Sentence Game with Emilyann Girder: Unravel the mystery of the Moonless night! Gather all 8 hidden words from the excerpts and figure out the sentence to win a free copy of Moonless. Send your mystery sentence to crystal (AT) crystal-collier.com with the subject MYSTERY SENTENCE before December 10, 2013, and you will be entered to win one of 10 copies of MOONLESS—just in time for Christmas. Happy hunting
Okay human lie detectors, which is the lie?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
