Well, folks...a lot to be thankful for in the New Year already! I've already received my first gift of the New Year by surviving the latest cut in the Dorchester contest and only 4 more days until the Top Two are announced.
Over the holidays I finally had a chance to read all the other finalist entries and I really enjoyed each and every one of them. Despite the fact that the Top 3 remaining entries are all of the paranormal genre, they are really surprisingly different.
Seeing what happens in the remaining eliminations will be very interesting. Please keep your fingers crossed for me & another sincere thanks to all who continue to support me as the contest rages on!
In the meantime...I'm feeling BLUE! Nope not as in sad but as in BABY BOY BLUE! With less than a month to go until my first little boy makes his debut appearance I have so much to do and about zero energy to get it done!
I'm slowly getting all my prizes delivered via mail and e-mail. If you are still expecting something from me, don't give up hope.
I e-mailed my December contest winner before Christmas but have not heard back from them. I still have a 10 books for 2010 contest going on until 1/15/10. Click here for details on how to enter.
In other news...
I've updated my website with all my new releases in 2010 (see the home page here). Come by and see how you can support Team USA in the 2010 Winter Olympics!
I've also created a brand new site for my Young Adult and Inspirational romance books due out this year. You can check it out here at www.kgsummers.com! I'd love to hear your feedback!
**Heard from some folks who were concerned that this writer might not know how to spell the word "Seller" LOL So here's the deal...the contest is officially named "America's Next Best Celler" because it started on TextNovel.com where you are supposed to text your story in increments to your subscribing readers. Text message = Cell phone! Thereby creating a future BEST CELLER! Thanks to everyone for your concern. My Mommy brain is indeed frazzled but not THAT frazzled.**
Happy Holidays...my first Christmas wish already came true! Hope your Christmas season is shaping up just as swell.
Of course, I haven't gotten all my shopping, baking, or wrapping done...BUT I did survive the latest cut in the Dorchester contest making me one of the FAB Final Four! Woot!
So, I made this little Christmas tree #4 to celebrate and I want to share a couple of cool things with you as well.
They won't be announcing the Top Three until January 4th so I have 16 more days to sweat out the next cut (sigh) *countdown clocks are the devil*. In the meantime, let me share with you a lovely fan letter that I received this week just out of the blue from a new fan of my story Courting Demons which is still surviving in the Dorchester contest.
Here's what she wrote:
Subject line: OMG! Message: Ms. Nelson,
I just want to say that I really hope your story gets published very soon!
It was just such a tease that last chapter..I need to know what happens to this poor woman!
Congrats on being one of the finalists, you deserve it.
Good luck and please have mercy on your readers and upload a few more chapters...if not, then I will be one of the first in line to buy this book when it gets published!
Take care...
This just totally made my day! So, I had to share it with you. I hope I can share the remainder of this book with everyone very soon. In fact, the chapters that are currently posted on TextNovel are really just the first 4 or 5 chapters of the actual book (the completed book has around 50 chapters)! There is a lot more adventure to go for these characters. Stay tuned!
Next up, in celebration of my Final Four status...
For those of you who have read my excerpts on Text Novel, you know that a little elf demon (Zelef) gets assigned to help Paisley in her judge duties. In honor of Zelef and his part in helping bring humor to the novel and boost it to the final four...here's a little "elf humor". Thanks, Z!
Top Ten Elf Pick-Up Lines
1. "I'm down here" 2. "Just because I've got bells on my shoes doesn't mean I'm a sissy" 3. "I was once a lawn ornament" 4. "I can get you off the naughty list" 5. "I have certain needs that can't be satisfied by working on toys" 6. "I'm a magical being. Take off your bra." 7. "No, no. I don't bake cookies. You're thinking of those dorks over atKeebler" 8. "I get a thimbleful of tequila in me and I turn into a wild man" 9. "You'd look great in a Raggedy Ann wig" 10. "I can eat my weight in cocktail wieners"
Funny stuff!
Wrapping Stuff Up...
Well, I may not have my shopping done or my gifts wrapped but I want to follow up on a few unfinished matters for the year.
Old business: For those of you to whom I still owe prizes, I have them ready and I'm shipping one or two at a time as money and time allows. I appreciate your patience and I promise you will get your stuff (plus bonus goodies for your patience).
Old/Future business: In the Story Hallow-Win: Ghost in the Water Winners Post I announced that I was going to continue my "add a line" story contest over the holidays but alas time has not permitted. I'm thinking of picking this up as a fabulous Valentine's idea. So, think about what we should add next and we'll continue the story of Dante and Elaine then!
Current business: Winners from my December Blog Tour are as follows: Julie R. @ Lynn Crain's Blog, Misty @ Roxanne's Realm, Tessa @ Whispers Christmas Bash, Judy C. @ the Book Boost Christmas Blast, TraceyD (Twitter prize) & Fedora (autographed Jan. book) @ the Author's Island Christmas party, Estella @ Author Island Cyber Launch Party **I'll contact each winner individually in the next week or two and we'll settle up! Thanks to all for touring with me!**
Blog Tour Wraps Up business: I'm still over at Fang-tastic Books and there's still time to win an e-book of your choice (any author/any publisher). We are chatting about a paranormal Christmas! Here's the link: Fang-tastic Books Blog
Don't forget pick up a copy of one or more of my current releases. I have 7 books now available for your reading pleasure! Here's a recap of what I have available in 2009:
For those of you who haven't heard (and I can't imagine there is anyone left who hasn't--since I've been shouting it from the rooftops since Friday), I'm one of the proud authors to make it to the Final Five of Dorchester Publishing's America's Next Best Celler Contest that has been ongoing via Text Novel.com since June of 2009!
This is HUGE for me and the other finalists who've toiled through votes, comments, round after round of eliminations, perfecting our cover copy, and waiting and praying and biting our nails and nervously twiddling our hair, and burning out the refresh key on our computers!
Now, the next step for us...MORE WAITING! LOL Yep, we still have another month of weekly eliminations by a carefully selected Dorchester romance reader panel of judges. They will eliminate one finalist per week (not counting the holiday weeks) until we are down to one winner. So, please keep your positive vibes flowing this way and stay tuned to the Dorchester Forum on 12/18 for the next announcement!
A sincere thank you to everyone who has helped me make it this far! Your kindness has meant the world to me! xoxo
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Next up, I'm a newbie at Twitter and I think I have figured out how to use it. So, if you are over there, please follow me!
As an added bonus, if you follow BOTH me and my author promotion company The Book Boost (to keep up with fabulous announcements on our talented group of authors), you'll be entered to win a gift box of 10 books to start the 2010 New Year off right!
Just post a message here to let me know what your Twitter username is that you are following us under and I'll enter to you in the drawing. I'll announce the winner on or about January 15th 2010! So, there's one month to tweet away!
I'm also giving away a free month of book promotion to one person who retweets about following The Book Boost during the month of December!
I'll be there Today from from 1 to 3 pm (central time) chatting about my newest release Eve of the Dragon! Join the group and comment to win your choice of books from my backlist AND be eligible to win a goodie from the Whispers' Authors Naughty or Nice Prize List!
Christmas Wishes, Christmas Kisses, and
a Wolf or Two!
What do you want most for Christmas? Tell me all about it and be eligible to win...12 books of your choice! That's right, you choose 12 books and I'll send them to you (e-books only/any author)! Comments/Entries Accepted on this blog post only until 11:59 pm CST on 12/22/09. Drawing to be held on December 23rd and books delivered via e-mail in time for Christmas!
On my Christmas Wish List this Year...
On the career front, I want to survive the next round of the Dorchester Contest! Thanks to all who came out to comment on my jacket copy (cover blurb) at the Dorchester forum and at Text Novel. I came in second place in the Fan Favorite Contest and I hope this helps push me through to the Final Five!
On the material girl front, I want the latest Karin Slaughter book entitled "Undone" and/or the Complete Series of Ally McBeal on DVD. I've waited forever for both of those to come out but just can't splurge on buying them for myself! Spent all my money on promo for my books and gifts for the kids (not to mention postage on mailing out goodies! LOL)
On the true to my heart front, I want a healthy baby boy to be born to our family in the New Year. I can't wait to meet my little hero-in-training. I'd also love a cure for juvenile diabetes if anyone is listening. That would be a real blessing! If you want to make a donation in someone's honor for the holidays, click here to give to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. My daughter Brooke thanks all of those who give from their hearts!
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My November Contest Winners Announced!
Next up, a special thanks to all who came out to vote for me in the Night Owl Romance Under the Mistletoe Kiss Scene Writing Contest! I lucked out and came in First Place for my hot scene in Miss Taken (the full book is available from Whispers Publishing here)! Woot! Thanks, also, to Tammie King and the folks at Night Owl Romance for a fabulously fun contest!
As promised, I've drawn the three winners who have their choice of any of the following:
1. A Gift card to the bookseller of your choice; or
2. A Collectible set of chocolates from the Twilight/New Moon movie series (These are the best chocolate treats ever and I'm addicted to them!); or
3. Your choice of books from my back list!
I also gave away a bonus Amazon.com gift card to one person who voted/commented for me at Dorchester. That winner is...BJules! Congrats!
In other Contest news: Over at The Book Boost, we are getting together the final details for a special contest for all of our Readers! We plan to launch the fun early next week. So stay tuned for more details and be sure to head over there and check out all the fabulous authors featured at the Boost!
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When a vegetarian werewolf falls for a celebrity chef,
will his appetite for her cause him to stray
from his vegan ways?
My next new release is not Holiday or Christmas related but it promises to keep you warm throughout the season!
If you love werewolves, you must pick up a copy of my sexy werewolf erotic suspense...Vegan Moon!
Santiago Salazar is a reformed werewolf living in sunny Beverly Hills, California.When he catches sight of celebrity chef Gabrielle Connor on television, he’s soon drooling in his tofu burger.
After they meet at one of Gabbi's book signings, Santiago is thrilled to discover that the attraction is mutual. The two hit it off in a major way but when the night takes a dark turn...Gabbi must decide if she can live with the new world that she's discovered and Santiago must ultimately answer to the werewolf code of conduct.
Take one hungry werewolf and mix it with on lonely chef, stir in some hot sex and Vegan Moon delivers a tasty treat that will keep you coming back for more!
Here are the links to purchase your copy of Vegan Moon:
Romance Author, Sharon Donovan "Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith"
How lucky am I to have such wonderful, talented and truly amazing friends as today's guest? Seriously, this is what life is all about...being blessed with just knowing people like author Sharon Donovan.
Please join me in welcoming her to my blog!
Today, Sharon is discussing her soon to be released romantic suspense novel from The Wild Rose Press entitled Her Biggest Fan.
Here's what she had to say...
Hey Kerri! Thanks for having me on your blog today. It’s time to put a log in the fire and start thinking about the holidays. And to start things off with a bang, I have an announcement. I’ve just signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press for Her Biggest Fan, a romantic suspense novel set in the redwoods of Northern California! And I can’t tell you how thrilled I am.
Ever since Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Night Gallery and the Twilight Zone, I have been a huge fan of suspense. It’s my favorite genre to read and write. My stories deal with the complexity of the mind. To better understand the disturbed psyche, I took psychology classes and could never get enough. The mind fascinates me. It’s a tricky faux. It can ben. It can break. It can snap. If there’s one thing you can be sure of, my suspense stories will always star a demented psychopath.
Here’s a sneak preview of Her Biggest Fan. Enjoy!
From the shadows of the woods, he keeps vigil. The stage is set to drive the pretty little princess insane. He’s coming for her. And when he catches her, he’ll pounce on her like the big bad wolf.
After receiving a disturbing fan letter, New York Times best-selling author Tess Kincaid flees to the Northern California home she’s inherited following her father’s suicide. The manor has been tainted with, every room staged to resemble the way it was in its glory days. But when Tess calls the police, the chilling props vanish into thin air.
Ruggedly handsome Sheriff Mike Andretti is called to investigate the reported burning candles, dancing gargoyles and otherworldly. When he discovers no trace of the eerie setting, he finds himself caught between duty and desire. Is the woman with the bewitching green eyes delusional--or is this a trap of twisted wit set by a demented fan?
Excerpt:
From the grand ballroom, the soft floating of piano keys drifted, louder and louder, faster and faster, reaching a spiking crescendo that shook the chandelier. And then all was quiet as the manor settled from the riveting climax that rattled the windows.
An eerie twine hummed through the corridor. Shocked by the scaling spike of piano keys, Tess’s knees wobbled. Floundering, she leaned against the wall for support.
She gasped for breath, her heartbeat escalating. In barely more than a whisper, she called out. “Daddy?”
Her mind raced. Could her dad be alive? Did he stage his own death? Tears stung her eyes. She had to find out. But still, she proceeded with caution. She sensed evil from deep in her soul.
Camouflaged in the dim lighting, Tess scaled along the walls of the barrel corridor, blending into the dark wood paneling.
Inching her way a bit deeper, she crept, her heart pounding. Beads of sweat trickled down her spine. A door banged, sounding like shutters smacking the house. Then she felt a rush of cool air coming from the grand ballroom, dank with the smell of rain and something else. Burning candles.
Fear clutched her from deep within. As she got closer, the scent of jasmine grew stronger. The sweet smell permeated the air. It was as if her father were still alive, entertaining in the grand ballroom. Just as Tess reached the arched column to the massive hall, a bolt of thunder exploded in the sky, followed by an illuminating flash of lightning. Then all went dark.
Tess stood at the entrance, polarized. Goose bumps prickled her flesh. When the icy instrumental of Moonlight Sonata started all over again, she took a step back and gasped. Peering into the massive hall, she stared in disbelief.
On either side of the mahogany bar, standing candelabras gleamed, long white tapers flickering in the dark. Open terrace doors banged in the wind, bringing in the pouring rain. The air carried the mingled scent of jasmine and stale tobacco. Pleated silk drapes billowed out like wings.
Rain puddled the cherry wood floor that once sparkled beneath the mirrored ceiling and crystal chandelier. The ghostly sound of piano keys escalated as Moonlight Sonata played on the old Victrola. And in the center of the room, looking for all the world like guests of honor at a grand masquerade, two wax gargoyles danced cheek to cheek, costumed in feather masks as bizarre as the setting.
I’d like to share what inspired me to write Her Biggest Fan. My mother is from a small town in rural Pennsylvania. Coal mining was the major industry. In the town of Shamrock, very close to where she lived, a mysterious light would roll down the hill every night at midnight.
As kids, she and her siblings would watch the light with intrigue. Many people, including her brothers, tried to investigate this mysterious light. But as soon as they would get near it, it would disappear and spook them into running off. One day, the mysterious light vanished into thin air, never to return. So what was it?
The mystery was never solved. With so many coal miners having lost their lives, some say perhaps it was the ghost of one miner, warning folks to beware of danger.
In Her Biggest Fan, someone is stalking Tess Kincaid. He sets the scene to make her see, hear and smell things that no one else can. One night at midnight, she sees a burning bush rolling down the mountainside, straight for her century old mansion. She calls the fire department, but when they arrive, there is no sign of the fire.
While my story has nothing whatsoever to do with the coal miners of Shamrock, this mystery light inspired me to write about the tricks the mind can play…
Welcome to the world of intrigue, greed, deception and murder. I hope I have enticed you with this little teaser of Her Biggest Fan.
Stay tuned for coming attractions. Get a big tub of buttered popcorn and get ready to scream!
Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. I offer lots of fun contests and prizes. And I’ll soon be posting a release date for Her Biggest Fan!
Thanks for joining us today, Sharon! This book sounds incredible and right up my alley. I'll definitely be checking it out. Here's wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Please leave your comment and/or question for Sharon. Thanks for stopping by!
Happy December everyone! Welcome to the month of Holiday Madness!
This month will be beyond busy for me as I try to wrap up the year with 4 new releases! Yep, you heard it here...4 new books are coming out this month. Check out my website homepage for details and teasers on each one. In the meantime, my first book up is entitled "When Ginger Snapped" and it is out now from Hearts on Fire Books. This book was awarded the 1st place winning honors in the Browler Books Holiday Short Story Contest! Woot!
Be sure to pick up your copy for a little tale of holiday Madness and sensual Massage! Here's a taste of Ginger:
When Ginger Snapped is a hot romantic comedy about a newly single mom Ginger Lockhart who can’t take anymore of the emotional turmoil of her pending divorce or the holiday madness of the Christmas season. Until she meets sexy massage therapist Caston DeLuca and he works his magical hands on her. Only then, can she begin to let the insanity and complications of life slip away but will he become more than just a one session soother?
Combine a cheating husband and holiday shopping season madness and it’s enough to drive a mother straight to jail. Literally.
Today, kicks off my one contest for the month of November! It is all about Kissing...one of my fave things. I've entered one of my fave kissing scenes from my book Miss Taken in the Night Owl Romance Under the Mistletoe Writing Contest.
All you have to do, is click the image above or click the VOTE link below and vote for my excerpt from Miss Taken. Then come back here and leave a comment telling me that you voted for me.
I'm entry #3 but the titles and names appear over in the right hand column in random order (just look for Miss Taken by Kerri Nelson).
Since, I'm #3...I'll draw 3 winners from all the voters and here are the prizes up for grabs:
1. A Gift card to the bookseller of your choice; or 2. A Collectible set of chocolates from the Twilight/New Moon movie series (These are the best chocolate treats ever and I'm addicted to them!); or 3. Your choice of books from my back list!
Better yet, each WINNER will get their choice of any of these prizes! That's right...all 3 of you will choose (even if you all choose the same thing!) So, get your voting fingers poised and ready and be thinking if you want to shop for books, eat sweet treats, or enjoy a tasty story by me!
Hope you like the scene and thanks in advance for your support!
