Alyson Raynes's Blog, page 3
November 20, 2016
BLACK FRIDAY SALE 2016
BLACK FRIDAY SALE 2016
BLACK FRIDAY SALE 2016 BEGINS THANKSGIVING AND RUNS THROUGH CYBER MONDAY!
EBOOK SALE:
DECEPTION $1.00
PURCHASE HERE:
IBOOKS
PROMISCUOUS $1.00
PURCHASE HERE:
IBOOKS
REDEMPTION $1.00
PURCHASE HERE:
IBOOKS
TRIZTAN $1.00
PURCHASE HERE:
IBOOKS
KISS OF SUMMER $2.00
PURCHASE HERE:
ITUNES
PAPERBACK SALE
DECEPTION $8.00
PROMISCUOUS $11.00
REDEMPTION $10.00
TRIZTAN $11.00
KISS OF SUMMER $12.00
BUNDLE AND& SAVE!!!
THE FIXER SERIES (ALL 3 BOOKS) $29.00
#BLACKFRIDAY #SALE #ALYSONRAYNES
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November 16, 2016
Thanksgiving Giveaway
$10 Amazon Gift Card
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November 15, 2016
Silence is Not Golden
You’ve heard that old adage that “Silence is Golden.” Mostly you see it when you go to the movie theater and you are being told to turn off your cell phones. At that time, Silence truly is golden. The type of silence that I’m talking about isn’t so golden.
In the past, I’ve spoken briefly about being a sexual abuse survivor. It isn’t something that I like to bring up or talk about because it brings back very painful memories, even though I’ve been through years of counseling to deal with it. And I’m not even sure that’s the right word for it, because do you ever really deal with it?
I thought I had, until about 6 months ago. A memory that I had suppressed reared it’s ugly head. What brought it on? A Facebook friend request from the actual abuser himself. That wasn’t enough though, because when I didn’t accept his friendship, he started messaging me telling me how beautiful I was, now that I was all grown up.
I immediately went into my safe place, which is deep, deep down inside of me. Where all painful emotions and memories hide and stay silent for the sake of my own happiness. But this was different. It ate at me, until I could no longer hardly function in my every day life. I have been depressed, angry, sad and I didn’t realize how much it was affecting me until one day when I was talking with my Mom and I just burst into tears. For 30 years I have kept quiet about what this person did to me. 30 fucking years! All that time I remained silent, I allowed that fucker to continue abusing me.
I can’t even begin to tell you the terror that this person put me through. How many times I wanted to talk to and tell my friends what had happened, but couldn’t, because we had too many friends in common. What’s ironic, is that we still have too many friends in common and I’m sure that some reading this are probably wondering who the hell I’m talking about. He fooled everyone, including me. He took so much from me; my dignity, confidence, self-esteem.
I have contemplated telling my story for a while, but there was always that little voice deep down inside that said “no,” stay silent, “what will people think if they know what happened to you?” Or my favorite, “it’s too personal. You shouldn’t put something like that out there.” Well, I’ve finally decided to ignore that scared little girl and tell the truth. The truth about a monster that I met when I was 12. We were the same age. We were friends. He betrayed me, silenced me…until he tried to re-victimize me.
I know there are many that can relate. And by sharing my story, I hope it will encourage others and let them know that they are not alone.
I am writing a book based on my experience. My true story, my hell. It’s not pretty, but it’s time the truth comes out. The title of the book is Unworthy Silence. If you would like, you can add it to your TBR List right here on Goodreads: Unworthy Silence Goodreads.
Until we meet again, take care of yourselves.
Aly
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October 24, 2016
Author Extraordinaire JM Walker
JM WALKER
Since I started my writing journey almost 4 years ago, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some pretty cool people. JM Walker happens to be one of them. I am going to do my best to tell you just how wonderful of a person she truly is. If my memory serves me correctly, and it may not because I’m getting old…that’s another story for another day, but I do believe that she and I started this writing journey around the same time.
In the few years that I’ve known her, I’ve only experienced kindness and a willingness of help from her. She truly is one of the nicest people that I have ever met. Which I had the complete pleasure of doing at my very first signing, Author’s in the City in Myrtle Beach, SC, hosted by Stephanie’s Book Reports. Stephanie is another fabulous lady that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, again, that is for another post, and I love her too.
Imagine me, this shy, timid woman sitting in her room at the hotel with her Personal Assistant, Marina, whom I also love, watching TV. Earlier in the night we had decided that after dinner, we would hit the Piggly Wiggly, buy some wine and stay in and chill. Now please understand that this had more to do with my shyness than it did with anything else. After all, once we had returned back to the hotel, I slipped into my famous pink monkey pants and was ready for an exciting night of…nothing!
Thank God my PA had been hanging out on Facebook talking to others that were there. She really did help me come out of my shell. That’s why she’s my official travel buddy. I don’t really quite remember how it all came about, but I suddenly found myself down in the hotel bar dressed in what? Yep, you guessed it, my pink monkey pants!
I know I look like a dork, but guess what? Comfort is way more important and that’s how I met JM Walker and AJ Harmon. Dressed like a 5 year old. Giggles! The funny part is, Jo was dressed in some really comfy leggings that had crazy print on them. We hugged and laughed, admiring each other’s wardrobes for the evening, then sat down, talked and drank. I had wine, I don’t remember what Jo had anymore, but it was kind of funny sitting around with Jo and AJ rattling off a story about hot dogs that we had just made up. It was funny as hell, a moment that I will never forget.
Jo was the first author to ever buy a book from me at a signing. I guess you could say, she popped my book signing cherry. #cherrypopped Here is a photo of her and I together on signing day.
Since meeting Jo, I have had the pleasure of working with her on an anthology, in the design realm and also had her format my books when they re-released. She is an extraordinary woman with great talent, with an even sweeter heart and I am proud to call her my friend. I can honestly say, that I’ve never heard a bad word about anyone come out of her mouth and I’ve never seen her indulge in drama. She is truly a one of a kind gal and I love her! – Aly
To learn more about JM Walker click on one the buttons below. 
October 18, 2016
Kiss of Summer Winners
Kiss of Summer Winners
Congratulations to the following ladies on winning the Kiss of Summer Giveaway’s!!!
Deb Hawblitzel Schultz – Signed Paperback of Kiss of Summer
Brooke Baumgartner- Signed Kiss of Summer Swag Pack
Tiffany Greene Elliott- $25 Amazon Gift Card
All winners have been contacted! Thank you for all of your support and for entering!
Alyson
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October 11, 2016
Release Blitz- Kiss of Summer
Jesse Austin has led a troubled life. Abandoned by his parents at a young age, Jesse chose to run with the wrong crowd and found trouble with the law.
Summer Jacobs is stuck living her mother’s dream of becoming an Olympic Figure Skater. An avid reader, Summer prefers visiting her grandfather’s ranch, where she finds peace and happiness under her favorite tree with her most beloved stories.
Needing a break from everyday life, Summer and her friends visit the ranch one last time before they enter their senior year of high school. For her friends it’s the trip of a lifetime, but for Summer, it’s a struggle distinguishing between finding peace and falling in love with a troubled boy.
Purchase Links:
Alyson enjoys bringing characters to life and has been writing since she was a little girl. Her first published book was in elementary school where it was put on display in the library for others to read. Alyson’s love for books is what compels her to write and create new worlds of her own for others to enjoy. She enjoys writing everything from erotica to suspense thrillers. Deception is the first book in the Fixer Series, which is both an erotic romance and suspense thriller.
A Colorado native, Alyson loves to travel. She has visited Ireland, Mexico and most of the United States. Her favorite vacation hideaway is Hawaii. She has a love for the ocean and enjoys swimming with sea turtles in the wild. Alyson is a former accountant who has traded in her abacus for a full-time writing career.
She has been happily married for twenty-four years to her high school sweetheart and is the proud mother of two. Her love of quilting keeps her busy in the winter months when she isn’t writing. Alyson’s favorite past time is spending time with her family, watching football and laughing together.
“What do you think of this one, Summer?” Angie asked, showing off a white, strapless dress.
“I think it looks great on you, if you’re looking to get married.”
“Ugh. Why is this so hard?”
“Probably because your hair is the color of a rainbow, and everything clashes with it.”
“Bitch!”
I laughed. “You know it’s true.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
“Why don’t you just go with black? Everything matches that.”
“You know, that’s probably what I’ll end up doing.”
“That’s what I’m wearing.”
“Shut up. You’re wearing black because your boyfriend Jesse isn’t taking you to prom.”
“Maybe.”
“What would you do if he showed up?”
“What? What kind of question is that? You know he’s not going to, so why are we playing this game?”
“Oh. Oh. Oh. Because I want to know. What would Summer do if her hot bod, boyfriend showed up to prom?”
“Well, he won’t, so…”
“Come on. Spill it, Jacobs!”
“I don’t know. Dance?”
“Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Give me a break!”
“Well, isn’t that what you do at prom?”
“No. There’s a lot more that you do at prom.”
“Um…okay. Like what?”
“Stay out all night.”
“Alright. If Jesse showed up, we’d go to dinner, then the dance.”
“B.O.R.I.N.G.,” she yawned.
“What do you want me to say? That I’d take him to a hotel room, rip his clothes off, and have wild and crazy sex with him?”
“YES!!!”
“You’re ridiculous, Angie.”
“Why? Because I made you admit that you want to see him naked and have wild and crazy sex with him?”
“No. Because your mind always goes straight to the gutter.”
“You know what they say about girls that have dirty minds, right?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, do tell me.”
“We’re smarter.”
“That makes absolutely no sense. You do realize that?”
“It’s true. I read it in my teen magazine. They said that girls with dirty minds masturbate more often; therefore, letting their endorphins kick in. It has something to do with releasing a certain chemical into your brain, and that’s why it makes you smarter.”
“So…if you’re a horny girl, you’re smarter?”
“Yep. They’ve even proven it with science.”
“I’m calling bullshit on that one, Ang.”
“Whatever, Summer. Science doesn’t lie.”
2 Winners-
Prize 1: Signed Paperback Copy of Kiss of Summer
Prize 2: Signed Kiss of Summer Swag Pack
a Rafflecopter giveaway
#AlysonRaynes #TwinsieTalkBookReviews #KissofSummer
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September 19, 2016
Mile High Giveaway
Mile High Giveaway
Kimberly Knight Paperback
As many of you know, I live in Denver, Colorado. Well…over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Mile High Author Event here Denver. It was packed full of fabulous authors, readers and bloggers. The event was wonderful and well done. I am so happy that I was able to attend.
So…since this was done in my hometown, I figured that a giveaway was in order! I have a signed paperback of “Angels & Whiskey”, signed book bag and signed bookmarks by the very talented Kimberly Knight.
Just Click on the Picture or the link below to Enter!!!
September 13, 2016
Kiss of Summer Pre-Order
Kiss of Summer
JACOBS RANCH COLLECTION
PRE-ORDER NOW AVAILABLE:
Release Date: October 11, 2016
Kiss of Summer Pre-Order
Synopsis:
Jesse Austin has led a troubled life. Abandoned by his parents at a young age, Jesse chose to run with the wrong crowd and found trouble with the law.
Summer Jacobs is stuck living her mother’s dream of becoming an Olympic Figure Skater. An avid reader, Summer prefers visiting her grandfather’s ranch, where she finds peace and happiness under her favorite tree with her most beloved stories.
Needing a break from everyday life, Summer and her friends visit the ranch one last time before they enter their senior year of high school. For her friends it’s the trip of a lifetime, but for Summer, it’s a struggle distinguishing between finding peace and falling in love with a troubled boy.
EXCERPT:
“What the fuck is that smell?” Angie complained, stepping out of the car plugging her nose.
“That my dear, is the smell of money,” I retorted, grabbing our bags out of the trunk and setting them on the pebbled driveway.
“It smells awful! Who in their right mind would want to smell shit all day?”
“Don’t worry, City Girl, you’ll get used to it,” a voice from behind replied.
“Grandpa!” I shouted, turning and giving him a hug. “How have you been? How is Rocky? Does my room still look the same? Is Jen still here? Does she still make apple pie?”
“Whoa! Slow down, Peanut. We have plenty of time to catch up. Why don’t you and your friends grab your things and take them into the house and I’ll have Jen whip something up for ya gals to eat.”
“Thanks Grandpa. Come on girls, let’s go find our rooms.”
Walking into the house, I showed Natalie and Angie up the grand staircase that was wrapped in wrought iron and sported a white banister. It felt odd seeing the renovations that had been done over the past two years, and honestly, I’d liked the way things were before. But I guess like all things, over time they got worn down and needed replacing. I just hoped that nothing in my room had been changed. The room that I had spent almost every summer in since before I could remember.
I loved coming to the ranch and helping out, but after my last visit…I just figured it was best if I stayed away. I never told Grandpa Carl why I didn’t come to visit, because I assumed he thought it was ice skating related. He knew how pushy my mother was about the whole situation, even though he didn’t always agree with her tactics. I wish I could have blamed my absence on ice skating, but deep down inside, I knew the truth, and his name was Jesse Austin.
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August 15, 2016
Kiss of Summer Chapter 11 Snippet
Snippet
Copyright Alyson Raynes 2016 All Rights Reserved. This particular works is unedited and is subject to change. No portion of this works can be reproduced without the written consent of the author. Copyright on file with the United State Copyright Office.
Kiss of Summer- Chapter 11 Snippet
There he was. Jesse Austin, in all his splendor, looking at me like I’d never been looked at before in my life. He had grown up, no longer the tall skinny kid that I had memories of from my last visit. No. He was anything but that. He was a man. A gorgeous, dark haired, sexy man. Angie and Natalie noticed right away, their mouths still open from the drooling, but me? I was paralyzed. My heart was beating fast, my body tingling, leaving me utterly…speechless.
“Bookworm,” he snapped his fingers at me, trying to gain my attention.
“What? Oh…Hey, Jesse. How have you been?”
“I’ve been great,” he smirked, walking over wrapping his arms around me. “It’s been a long time kid. What have you been up to? Still reading those books?”
“Yeah,” that was all I could manage to get out of my mouth.
“Grandpa Carl tells me you’re about to graduate. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
“And who are these two lovely ladies that are here with you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. How rude of me. Angie, Natalie…this is Jesse. He helps my Grandpa here at the ranch.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” they both cooed at the same time. I rolled my eyes.
“It was nice seeing you again, Jesse, but we gotta run.”
“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you beautiful ladies around. Have fun.”
Jesse was flirting? With us? When did that happen. The last time I had seen him, he was a shy boy, and now…he was anything but.
“Come on, Girls, let’s go find something to do,” I suggested.
“Wait!” Angie screeched. “Are there anymore hot guys around that look like him?”
“How the hell should I know?” I fired back.
“Well judging by how that guy was looking at you, I’d say he’s already yours.”
“Shut up, Angie. You have no idea what you’re even talking about.”
“Oh, trust me, Summer. That guy has it bad for you.”
“Hold on,” Natalie chimed in. “Summer, isn’t that the guy you told us about?”
I let out a frustrated breath. “Yeah. That’s him.”
“Holy shit! You said he was cute, but I think you forgot to mention how hot he was.”
“He was cute. Obviously, he’s changed since the last time I saw him.”
“Well, whatever. If you don’t want him, I’ll take him,” Natalie offered.
“Whatever.”
“You are so blind, Summer. You could really benefit from hanging out with us more often,” Angie laughed.
“You know I wish I could, but my Mother would have a massive coronary if I did anything but skate.”
“True. Your mom can be kind of lame sometimes,” Natalie joked.
ADD TO YOUR TBR LIST: Add Kiss of Summer on Goodreads
#KissofSummer #Goodreads #Alyson Raynes
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August 8, 2016
Writing With Heart
Writing With Heart
Why I Write
I have been asked many times, why I write. I’ve never really addressed this topic in past posts, but it’s been something that I’ve wanted to share for a long time. I’m not special. I’m just an average, ordinary person like many others. I’ve never thought that I’m better than any one else or even felt that my writing talents would go very far.
I started writing when I was very young. How young? When I was about 5 years old. That’s when my parents divorced, and unlike most kids, I didn’t feel bad. The fighting was much worse. They weren’t physical, they just yelled a lot. I am the product of young parents, who decided to marry young, but probably shouldn’t have married in the first place. I love my Mom and Dad with all of my heart. They have given me the best life that a person can have. That doesn’t mean that everything in my life has been perfect, because it hasn’t. Much like everyone else, it’s had it’s ups and downs and those are the situations that have shaped me into the person that I am today.
Who am I? I am a daughter, wife, mother, soon to be grandma, sister, niece, cousin, granddaughter, I am me!
When I was a young girl, I would mostly write poetry or just doodle in notebooks. Those were my thoughts and feelings at the time. I wrote when I was sad and I wrote when I was happy. As the years went on, I started writing more to just get my feelings down on paper.
As a sexual abuse survivor, it helped me to sort and accept some of the things I didn’t understand. I wrote, because at the age of 15, I tried to kill myself and writing was my saving grace. Well…that and a lot of prayer. Yes, I am a huge believer in God and I will never be ashamed to admit that. I would not be here if it weren’t for him.
When I am not writing, I feel like I’m going crazy. It is a need that burns deep inside of me. I’m not saying that I have to sit down and write a full length novel in order to feel better, because I don’t. But it is very therapeutic for me to get my thoughts down on paper and sometimes that means taking me to a different magical world and that’s where some of my stories are born. In the Fixer Series, the female lead resembles a lot of my personality.
Now understand, most of that is made up stuff that came from my imagination, but the character herself and the things she experiences are some of the very things that I have experienced, only with a twist of drama to make it more interesting. Her personality is very much like mine. Yes, for those of you who know what I’m talking about, I was that naive in my 30’s. Scary…I know. 
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