I'm listening to Beautiful Thieves by AFI.
So my fantasy author, Sandy Lender, suggested I post something here to let everyone know I'm not ignoring her. Apparently, she's been talking about me (and this blog). She had a radio interview Tuesday, which aired again very early this morning. Then there's a guest blog post at LASR all day today that mentions me and this site. Last weekend she had an interview at Helen's Heroes that mentioned me ad nauseum. I keep telling her that her focus should be on Chariss...and, of course, finishing Chariss's story.
We're a bit sidetracked this week because Sandy's sitting around feeling sorry for herself. She had a couple of basal skin cell carcinomas removed from her shoulder and arm yesterday, and the pain set in during the night. (She can really be pathetic when she starts that moaning...oh...wait...sure enough...she's censoring this.)
As it turns out, she's not feeling sorry for herself; she's merely being cautious so as not to pull her stitches out. (Personally, I think she's sitting around feeling sorry for herself. I should probably fix her a piece of cake or something to be nice.)
Everyone have a lovely day and check out TodayTheDragonWins for some not-Chariss's-story contest she's holding. (Oh, more censorship: she says she can hold contests that aren't focused on the Choices trilogy and still work on the Choices trilogy.)
All my best,
Nigel Taiman
Tags: Choices, basal skin cell, contest
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Monday, May 12, 2008
She Read a Great Scene on the Radio Last Night
I'm quite pleased with the scene my fantasy author, Sandy Lender, selected for the Internet Voices Radio program last night. The authors were labeled as romance writers, and the fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods has that element running beneath the plot(s), so Sandy read the following. (I'm very pleased with you, dear. You'll have my uncomplaining marketing efforts redoubled for weeks because of this.)
This is a romantic scene as Nigel Taiman and Amanda Chariss ride from the estate at Arcana to Arcana City. Her wizard guardian has already clued her in to the fact that Nigel wants to court her, and she's upset over it. The scene mentions the bear-like ryfel creature that nearly killed Nigel in the training arena.
Nigel frowned at her. Spurring his horse slightly, he reached out to take hold of Shadow’s bridle. Bringing them both to a stop, he turned in the saddle to face her.
“Hey!” she objected.
“Indeed. Have I done something to anger you?”
Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.
“’Manda?”
“You’re staring at me.”
“By the gods, Woman. All right, I’ll look at your horse. ’Manda,” he said to Shadow, “what have I done that’s made you angry?”
“I’m not angry.”
“You’re not a liar,” he spoke to Chariss again.
“All right, so I’m a little angry. It will pass.”
“And you don’t want to tell me what it is?”
She couldn’t blame her reticence today on worry over Drake. She also couldn’t blame her health because she’d completely recovered from her telabyrinth poisoning. With Hrazon and The Master attending the summer festival, she couldn’t blame some sort of timidity at being ‘alone’ in the city. No, she had to take a deep breath and be honest with him. Considering the number of suitors she’d sent packing in the past few years, this should have been an easy thing to do again. It wasn’t. She sighed, closing her eyes as if she could make the scene disappear.
“Do you agree that you’re my friend?” she finally asked.
He watched her open her eyes then, realizing where the conversation must be going.
“Yes.” It was said with exasperation.
“And that I’m your friend?”
“Yes.”
“And does that please you?”
He sighed, but didn’t get a chance to answer.
“You see, Nigel, it pleases me. I appreciate your kindness, and I would be disappointed if we hadn’t built such a…such a…”
“Friendship?” he retorted.
“Such a rapport.”
He rolled his eyes. “A fancier word with even less affection.”
“My stay at Arcana is much more pleasant because I have this relationship with you. But someone has tried to convince me that your…your…”
“Feelings?”
“Well…your…”
“Intentions?”
“Well…your opinion of our relationship might be somewhat different from mine.”
“’Manda, just say what you’re thinking. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
She looked miserable then. “I don’t want to say what I’m thinking.”
“Good!”
“No, that’s not good. Hrazon thinks you’re…Hrazon believes you spend time with me because…” She paused, searching for the words.
“Because I’m in love with you?”
She nearly fell backward. “Just blurt it out!”
He chuckled slightly. “This is uncomfortable, isn’t it? I’m sorry to embarrass you. This conversation would be better in a darkened corner of Arcana’s parlor. ’Manda, I’m not going to lie to you. Hrazon has every reason to believe I’m after his ward because I am. It’s no secret to anyone I enjoy your company. What, where are you…You’re the only woman I know who can scoot that far away on a saddle without falling off.”
“I don’t think you should say those things.”
“Aye,” he sighed, watching her fidget with Shadow’s reins. But he made a decision to press the matter. “I’m going to say them and get them out in the open. Then we can decide if you’re to die of embarrassment, or slap me across the face.”
She couldn’t help smiling, even though her heart beat as if it would burst through her bodice from the tension she felt.
“I enjoy being with you because you’re my perfect match,” he said. “Have you noticed that we agree on almost everything? And the few things we don’t agree on are intriguing to argue because you make them intriguing. There’s no one at that entire estate, The Master and every intelligent student combined, who can hold my attention as you do. None of them compare.
“I’m attracted to everything about you, including your compassion. Even now, when you’re on the verge of falling off a horse with embarrassment, your concern is for my feelings, not your own. Godric, who doesn’t deserve to wash your feet, who finds every excuse to correct you, gets your respect because you remind yourself that he’s your benefactor. Do you know what strength of character that shows? Do you know how it endears you to me to know you bite your tongue after his arrogant remarks to save my mother’s feelings?”
She merely nodded, her eyes cast down.
“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you would fight to the death for Kaylin?”
She nodded again.
“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you instinctively threw yourself into healing spells to save my life?”
“You shouldn’t assume that means—”
“I remember sliding toward death that night, life spilling out of me, and poison seeping into me from that thing’s claws. But do you know what I remember most distinctly? I remember you commanding me not to bleed to death…and I remember your hands afterward. Once I was healed, once Master Rothahn became preoccupied with the dead ryfel, you crawled over to me and put your hands on me again, as if you had to be sure He’d done a good enough job of healing me. But you would’ve done it for any member of my family. I daresay you would’ve done it for any student in the school. And it’s because you care about others, and you want the best for everyone around you. And you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
The last comment caught her off guard. It didn’t seem to fit with the logical argument he tried to make.
“I fail to see how these things tell you you’re in love. Kaylin enjoys my company. Mia enjoys arguing with me. I saved Sorne’s life once. Does this mean they’re in love with me?”
“If love could be explained that easily, it wouldn’t be real.”
“But what makes you think it’s real now? If you can’t explain your feelings, how do you know you’re not misled?”
“How does the rose know to bloom in spring?”
“Oh, now that talk I’ve heard before. I didn’t believe it then, and I don’t think you should let yourself believe it now.”
“’Manda, I’m telling you the truth and I’m telling you what I know. If I’ve made you angry by falling in love with you, you’re just going to have to deal with it. Because you’re not currently interested in me, you have to give me time to change your mind.”
They were silent then; he waited for some sign that she wasn’t going to cast him aside, she waited for her heart to stop beating so loudly in her ears. As far as she was concerned, she was often a foolish girl, but her intentions at the beginning of this conversation were foolish beyond compare. She realized—with alarm—that the blood rushing through her veins, the lightheadedness, the excitement at getting to spend an afternoon with him, were all signs she had chosen to ignore. She swallowed hard against the fear in her throat, and, with as much calm as she could muster, said: “What gives you the idea that I’m not interested in you?”
Now isn't that grand? I'm overjoyed that she'd share it with the masses. If you want to read more, you can read the first three chapters of the fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods at the publisher's site at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. You can also download the eBook there for only $3.99 (which still makes no sense to me, but Sandy says it's possible). You can also order the hard cover edition there, or go to the Amazon site to order it and get free shipping. If you look at the Amazon site, you can read the five-star reviews that are already posted. Either way, there's more to learn about Amanda Chariss.
Don't forget to enter the contest to win the basket, as well. That information can be found by scrolling below. The question is "Who is Chariss chosen to protect?" You can find the answer on this blog, on Sandy's blog at www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com, at her publisher's site (URL in the graph above), at www.authorisland.com, or in the book itself. Send your answer, with your name and snail mail address, to authorisland at yahoo dot com before the end of May. DeNita at Author Island will pull the winner May 31. Sandy originally thought it was happening on Memorial Day, but that's just her addled brain trying to keep track of too many details. And that's why she has me at her side.
Good luck!
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Internet Voices Radio, fantasy novel, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, contest, Author Island
This is a romantic scene as Nigel Taiman and Amanda Chariss ride from the estate at Arcana to Arcana City. Her wizard guardian has already clued her in to the fact that Nigel wants to court her, and she's upset over it. The scene mentions the bear-like ryfel creature that nearly killed Nigel in the training arena.
Nigel frowned at her. Spurring his horse slightly, he reached out to take hold of Shadow’s bridle. Bringing them both to a stop, he turned in the saddle to face her.
“Hey!” she objected.
“Indeed. Have I done something to anger you?”
Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.
“’Manda?”
“You’re staring at me.”
“By the gods, Woman. All right, I’ll look at your horse. ’Manda,” he said to Shadow, “what have I done that’s made you angry?”
“I’m not angry.”
“You’re not a liar,” he spoke to Chariss again.
“All right, so I’m a little angry. It will pass.”
“And you don’t want to tell me what it is?”
She couldn’t blame her reticence today on worry over Drake. She also couldn’t blame her health because she’d completely recovered from her telabyrinth poisoning. With Hrazon and The Master attending the summer festival, she couldn’t blame some sort of timidity at being ‘alone’ in the city. No, she had to take a deep breath and be honest with him. Considering the number of suitors she’d sent packing in the past few years, this should have been an easy thing to do again. It wasn’t. She sighed, closing her eyes as if she could make the scene disappear.
“Do you agree that you’re my friend?” she finally asked.
He watched her open her eyes then, realizing where the conversation must be going.
“Yes.” It was said with exasperation.
“And that I’m your friend?”
“Yes.”
“And does that please you?”
He sighed, but didn’t get a chance to answer.
“You see, Nigel, it pleases me. I appreciate your kindness, and I would be disappointed if we hadn’t built such a…such a…”
“Friendship?” he retorted.
“Such a rapport.”
He rolled his eyes. “A fancier word with even less affection.”
“My stay at Arcana is much more pleasant because I have this relationship with you. But someone has tried to convince me that your…your…”
“Feelings?”
“Well…your…”
“Intentions?”
“Well…your opinion of our relationship might be somewhat different from mine.”
“’Manda, just say what you’re thinking. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
She looked miserable then. “I don’t want to say what I’m thinking.”
“Good!”
“No, that’s not good. Hrazon thinks you’re…Hrazon believes you spend time with me because…” She paused, searching for the words.
“Because I’m in love with you?”
She nearly fell backward. “Just blurt it out!”
He chuckled slightly. “This is uncomfortable, isn’t it? I’m sorry to embarrass you. This conversation would be better in a darkened corner of Arcana’s parlor. ’Manda, I’m not going to lie to you. Hrazon has every reason to believe I’m after his ward because I am. It’s no secret to anyone I enjoy your company. What, where are you…You’re the only woman I know who can scoot that far away on a saddle without falling off.”
“I don’t think you should say those things.”
“Aye,” he sighed, watching her fidget with Shadow’s reins. But he made a decision to press the matter. “I’m going to say them and get them out in the open. Then we can decide if you’re to die of embarrassment, or slap me across the face.”
She couldn’t help smiling, even though her heart beat as if it would burst through her bodice from the tension she felt.
“I enjoy being with you because you’re my perfect match,” he said. “Have you noticed that we agree on almost everything? And the few things we don’t agree on are intriguing to argue because you make them intriguing. There’s no one at that entire estate, The Master and every intelligent student combined, who can hold my attention as you do. None of them compare.
“I’m attracted to everything about you, including your compassion. Even now, when you’re on the verge of falling off a horse with embarrassment, your concern is for my feelings, not your own. Godric, who doesn’t deserve to wash your feet, who finds every excuse to correct you, gets your respect because you remind yourself that he’s your benefactor. Do you know what strength of character that shows? Do you know how it endears you to me to know you bite your tongue after his arrogant remarks to save my mother’s feelings?”
She merely nodded, her eyes cast down.
“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you would fight to the death for Kaylin?”
She nodded again.
“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you instinctively threw yourself into healing spells to save my life?”
“You shouldn’t assume that means—”
“I remember sliding toward death that night, life spilling out of me, and poison seeping into me from that thing’s claws. But do you know what I remember most distinctly? I remember you commanding me not to bleed to death…and I remember your hands afterward. Once I was healed, once Master Rothahn became preoccupied with the dead ryfel, you crawled over to me and put your hands on me again, as if you had to be sure He’d done a good enough job of healing me. But you would’ve done it for any member of my family. I daresay you would’ve done it for any student in the school. And it’s because you care about others, and you want the best for everyone around you. And you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
The last comment caught her off guard. It didn’t seem to fit with the logical argument he tried to make.
“I fail to see how these things tell you you’re in love. Kaylin enjoys my company. Mia enjoys arguing with me. I saved Sorne’s life once. Does this mean they’re in love with me?”
“If love could be explained that easily, it wouldn’t be real.”
“But what makes you think it’s real now? If you can’t explain your feelings, how do you know you’re not misled?”
“How does the rose know to bloom in spring?”
“Oh, now that talk I’ve heard before. I didn’t believe it then, and I don’t think you should let yourself believe it now.”
“’Manda, I’m telling you the truth and I’m telling you what I know. If I’ve made you angry by falling in love with you, you’re just going to have to deal with it. Because you’re not currently interested in me, you have to give me time to change your mind.”
They were silent then; he waited for some sign that she wasn’t going to cast him aside, she waited for her heart to stop beating so loudly in her ears. As far as she was concerned, she was often a foolish girl, but her intentions at the beginning of this conversation were foolish beyond compare. She realized—with alarm—that the blood rushing through her veins, the lightheadedness, the excitement at getting to spend an afternoon with him, were all signs she had chosen to ignore. She swallowed hard against the fear in her throat, and, with as much calm as she could muster, said: “What gives you the idea that I’m not interested in you?”
Now isn't that grand? I'm overjoyed that she'd share it with the masses. If you want to read more, you can read the first three chapters of the fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods at the publisher's site at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. You can also download the eBook there for only $3.99 (which still makes no sense to me, but Sandy says it's possible). You can also order the hard cover edition there, or go to the Amazon site to order it and get free shipping. If you look at the Amazon site, you can read the five-star reviews that are already posted. Either way, there's more to learn about Amanda Chariss.
Don't forget to enter the contest to win the basket, as well. That information can be found by scrolling below. The question is "Who is Chariss chosen to protect?" You can find the answer on this blog, on Sandy's blog at www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com, at her publisher's site (URL in the graph above), at www.authorisland.com, or in the book itself. Send your answer, with your name and snail mail address, to authorisland at yahoo dot com before the end of May. DeNita at Author Island will pull the winner May 31. Sandy originally thought it was happening on Memorial Day, but that's just her addled brain trying to keep track of too many details. And that's why she has me at her side.
Good luck!
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Internet Voices Radio, fantasy novel, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, contest, Author Island
Monday, May 5, 2008
She Has Another Cool Contest Going
If you've read many of the posts where I've gone on and on and on about my intended, Amanda Chariss, here at this blog, or at Sandy's blog, http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/, you'll already know the answer to the Choices Meant for Gods trivia question, and you'll be one step closer to winning the basket of fantasy goodies that Sandy's put together for the current contest at Author Island. If you haven't read any of these ravings, well, might I suggest you scroll through and find a few so you'll know who Chariss is chosen to protect in the fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods.You'll need to know if you want to win.
Here's what you do: E-mail your name, snail mail...wait...(what's a snail mail address?)
Okay. Now that my fantasy author, Sandy Lender, has given me all the information I need, I might be able to complete this task for her. (Well, you have to explain these things if you want me to do marketing for you, dear.)
Here's what you do: E-mail your name, snail mail address, and answer to the trivia question to authorisland at yahoo dot com by the May 31st deadline. DeNita will draw a winner on Memorial Day and Sandy will ship out the basket pictured above. Simple!
Here's your trivia question:
Who is Chariss chosen to protect in the fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods?
If you have trouble finding the answer at this blog, at Sandy's blog, at her publisher's site, or in the excerpt at http://www.authorisland.com/, you could read the book. The eBook version (read: inexpensive version) is available at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm.
Good luck to you!
Nigel
Friday, March 7, 2008
She Has Another Contest Running at Author Island
Win a spa package from Arcana's bathing rooms when you visit Author Island and Sandy Lender's Today the Dragon Wins blogsite.
To help explain the "goodies" in the spa package my fantasy author is giving away, I must explain where I live. Arcana is the estate where I live in the epic fantasy adventure Choices Meant for Gods. It's the Taiman family home where my great great great grandmother, Arcana Scheld came to live when she (wait, Sandy's having some sort of hissy fit...)
Apparently, I'm being censored because I'm about to bore you all to tears with backstory. Nice. You think she'd treat me a little more kindly if she expects me to promote this contest she has running. It's all about relaxing and she doesn't appear to be relaxing at the moment. She appears to be chasing me off the computer.
In case you haven't already read the novel, Choices Meant for Gods includes the lovely yet stressed out heroine, Amanda Chariss. One evening, while seeking refuge from an evil sorcerer, Chariss takes a break from her training and plotting to just relax in the bathing rooms of Arcana. In honor of the need for all heroines to take a break and relax, Sandy has teamed up with http://www.authorisland.com/ to give away a spa package from Arcana's bathing rooms.
The picture above is of the prize Sandy has assembled. (And notice all that lovely lavender to match Chariss's eyes…) If you'd like to win this prize, all you have to do is leave a comment at http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/ letting us know that you're an Author Island fan. And if you'd like to hear more about the story of Amanda Chariss, I'll have information about Choices Meant for Gods there throughout the contest (which you can enter every day if you like).
Or you can just succumb to the pressure now and buy the electronic version of the book at ArcheBooks Publishing's Web site. It's only $3.99 to get the eBook, whereas ordering the hard cover edition is a larger investment. The link is http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. (You can also read the first three chapters there by clicking the "free sample" button.)
Enjoy and good luck with the contest!
All my best,
Nigel Taiman
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, contest announcement, spa package, fantasy novel, Today the Dragon Wins, author island
To help explain the "goodies" in the spa package my fantasy author is giving away, I must explain where I live. Arcana is the estate where I live in the epic fantasy adventure Choices Meant for Gods. It's the Taiman family home where my great great great grandmother, Arcana Scheld came to live when she (wait, Sandy's having some sort of hissy fit...)
Apparently, I'm being censored because I'm about to bore you all to tears with backstory. Nice. You think she'd treat me a little more kindly if she expects me to promote this contest she has running. It's all about relaxing and she doesn't appear to be relaxing at the moment. She appears to be chasing me off the computer.
In case you haven't already read the novel, Choices Meant for Gods includes the lovely yet stressed out heroine, Amanda Chariss. One evening, while seeking refuge from an evil sorcerer, Chariss takes a break from her training and plotting to just relax in the bathing rooms of Arcana. In honor of the need for all heroines to take a break and relax, Sandy has teamed up with http://www.authorisland.com/ to give away a spa package from Arcana's bathing rooms.
The picture above is of the prize Sandy has assembled. (And notice all that lovely lavender to match Chariss's eyes…) If you'd like to win this prize, all you have to do is leave a comment at http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/ letting us know that you're an Author Island fan. And if you'd like to hear more about the story of Amanda Chariss, I'll have information about Choices Meant for Gods there throughout the contest (which you can enter every day if you like).
Or you can just succumb to the pressure now and buy the electronic version of the book at ArcheBooks Publishing's Web site. It's only $3.99 to get the eBook, whereas ordering the hard cover edition is a larger investment. The link is http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. (You can also read the first three chapters there by clicking the "free sample" button.)
Enjoy and good luck with the contest!
All my best,
Nigel Taiman
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, contest announcement, spa package, fantasy novel, Today the Dragon Wins, author island
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
She's Featured at Author Island Friday
My fantasy author, Sandy Lender, has an announcement she wants me to shout about. Her epic fantasy novel, Choices Meant for Gods, will be the featured Book of the Day this Friday, Feb. 22, at www.authorisland.com. To enter the contest to win an autographed, hard-cover, first edition of CMFG from the site that day, you must know that Chariss (my lovely bride) ended up at my estate because she was running from Jamieson Drake (the evil creep sorcerer who needs to die by my sword, by the way).
You can get more information to enter and win the contest by visiting her publisher's site and reading the free chapters at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. Or you can download the eBook there, too, and read the whole story.
See you at Author Island Friday.
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, fantasy novel, Author Island
You can get more information to enter and win the contest by visiting her publisher's site and reading the free chapters at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. Or you can download the eBook there, too, and read the whole story.
See you at Author Island Friday.
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, fantasy novel, Author Island
Thursday, February 14, 2008
She Picked a Valentine's Day Winner
My fantasy author, Sandy Lender, put the names in the Duran Duran tour cap and the lucky winner is Ann Thayer-Cohen! Congratulations to Ann on winning the Win a Fantasy for Valentine's Day!
Ann is a visitor at Author Island who made comments on my guest posts at Sandy's main blog, http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/. She gets an autographed, first-edition, hard-cover copy of the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods (and one of the cloth bookbags Sandy had made to help market the book and keep people from using plastic bags...you know what a good little treehugger she is... )
There are more contests to come, and Sandy will be announcing those with Author Island at http://www.authorisland.com/ and http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/ over the next few days. Choices Meant for Gods will also be the featured Book of the Day at the Island with a special free prize on the big day in the near future, so stay tuned to learn when to log in to win.
Sandy has informed me that if you don't like your odds of winning the hard-cover edition of the fantasy novel, you can check out her publisher's Web site at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm to get the eBook version for $3.99. I think that's a grand idea to get you introduced to my lovely bride, Amanda Chariss.
So! Congratulations to Ann, thank you to everyone who gave me such good wishes during the contest (I've passed all of your lovely comments along to Sandy, you know, so I truly thank you for the ones that supported the romance between Amanda and me), and best of luck to those who enter the upcoming contests through Author Island.
All my best,
Nigel
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, fantasy novel, Valentine's day, contest, Author Island, Today the Dragon Wins, Ann Thayer-Cohen, Duran Duran
Ann is a visitor at Author Island who made comments on my guest posts at Sandy's main blog, http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/. She gets an autographed, first-edition, hard-cover copy of the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods (and one of the cloth bookbags Sandy had made to help market the book and keep people from using plastic bags...you know what a good little treehugger she is... )
There are more contests to come, and Sandy will be announcing those with Author Island at http://www.authorisland.com/ and http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/ over the next few days. Choices Meant for Gods will also be the featured Book of the Day at the Island with a special free prize on the big day in the near future, so stay tuned to learn when to log in to win.
Sandy has informed me that if you don't like your odds of winning the hard-cover edition of the fantasy novel, you can check out her publisher's Web site at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm to get the eBook version for $3.99. I think that's a grand idea to get you introduced to my lovely bride, Amanda Chariss.
So! Congratulations to Ann, thank you to everyone who gave me such good wishes during the contest (I've passed all of your lovely comments along to Sandy, you know, so I truly thank you for the ones that supported the romance between Amanda and me), and best of luck to those who enter the upcoming contests through Author Island.
All my best,
Nigel
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, fantasy novel, Valentine's day, contest, Author Island, Today the Dragon Wins, Ann Thayer-Cohen, Duran Duran
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
She Has a Contest at The Dragon
Visitors over at Today the Dragon Wins can win a copy of the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods if you comment on one of my guest blogs where I wax poetic about my lovely bride-to-be, Amanda Chariss. Yes, my fantasy author, Sandy Lender, has given me permission to rant and rave about how amazing and glorious and beautiful and incredible Amanda is. (Middle what? Oh, yes, sorry about that - the only caveat is she insists that I use Amanda's middle name as everyone else does.) So about once a week between now and Valentine's Day, you can read a guest post by me at http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/, leave a comment in the comment field, and be entered in the contest to win your own first-edition, hard-cover, autographed copy of the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods, in which you'll meet the amazing fantasy heroine Chariss. (And she is absolutely stunning with her lavender eyes and her quick wit and her excellent sword skills and her ability to steal her way into your heart without you even realizing it's happened...)
If you doubt my word on it, you can read reviews of Choices Meant for Gods at http://www.amazon.com/ where people confirm my assertions. (What? I'm an educator, I'm supposed to speak as if I'm educated. Trust me and let me just type this.)
So stop by http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/ when you have a chance and seek out my first guest blog post (I did it Monday) to get your first entry in. You can enter every day if you like...
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy novel, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, contest, dragon, Today the Dragon Wins, Valentine's Day
If you doubt my word on it, you can read reviews of Choices Meant for Gods at http://www.amazon.com/ where people confirm my assertions. (What? I'm an educator, I'm supposed to speak as if I'm educated. Trust me and let me just type this.)
So stop by http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/ when you have a chance and seek out my first guest blog post (I did it Monday) to get your first entry in. You can enter every day if you like...
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy novel, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, contest, dragon, Today the Dragon Wins, Valentine's Day
Sunday, January 13, 2008
She Congratulates Loretta Wilson
If you check out yesterday's post at Today the Dragon Wins, you'll see all the details, because I'm not typing all that here (sorry, dear, but it was complex). My fantasy author, Sandy Lender, announced the winner of the December Choices Meant for Gods contest at http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/. I would like to congratulate Loretta Wilson on a job well done!
For those of you who entered the contest but weren't drawn from the Duran Duran tour cap (yes, Sandy's graduated from the kitchen mixing bowl she used to use for drawings), you can pick up a copy of CMFG at http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Meant-Gods-Sandy-Lender/dp/1595071652/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200155650&sr=1-1 with free shipping, or you can enter the new contest that I'm participating in. The contest details will be announced shortly at http://www.authorisland.com/. Good luck to you all!
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, contest, Loretta Wilson, Duran Duran, Today the Dragon Wins
For those of you who entered the contest but weren't drawn from the Duran Duran tour cap (yes, Sandy's graduated from the kitchen mixing bowl she used to use for drawings), you can pick up a copy of CMFG at http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Meant-Gods-Sandy-Lender/dp/1595071652/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200155650&sr=1-1 with free shipping, or you can enter the new contest that I'm participating in. The contest details will be announced shortly at http://www.authorisland.com/. Good luck to you all!
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, contest, Loretta Wilson, Duran Duran, Today the Dragon Wins
Saturday, January 12, 2008
She's Digging
My fantasy author, Sandy Lender, had this contest running over at her main blog, http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com/, in which you could win a copy of her epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods. She's going to start another up shortly, but first she has to actually CONTACT the winner to figure out if she can actually get the book and bookbag to this person. As you visitors are probably aware, most e-mail addresses are set on "block" or somehow set so the blogsite administrator cannot reply/respond privately to comments that are left on posts. So she's digging.
It'll be just a while.
In the meantime, I'm just posting this little update to let you know she's a few days closer to insanity. The spiral downward is amusing to watch at times, but also sad. I'm hoping one of the unfinished horrible things in her life ends soon so she can set aside the stress of something and refocus her energies on writing. I think she should start suing people (soon-to-be-ex-husband who can't comply with things the court orders and misses deadlines and extensions, bank attorneys who don't respond for weeks at a time, an independent health insurance agent for State Farm who proposed she commit fraud so he could earn his commission while she sits here without health insurance, etc.) for stress, mental anguish, and inability to earn royalties from marketing because she can't focus on marketing. (See, I'm picking up on this stuff in your society. Slowly but surely...)
In good news, she's happy with her job and her bird is thrilled to sit three feet from her desk all day. Luckily, there's a door between her and the bird so she can close it when he squawks at people on the phone (which is frequently). And this is the life of a writer!
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, State Farm, today the dragon wins
It'll be just a while.
In the meantime, I'm just posting this little update to let you know she's a few days closer to insanity. The spiral downward is amusing to watch at times, but also sad. I'm hoping one of the unfinished horrible things in her life ends soon so she can set aside the stress of something and refocus her energies on writing. I think she should start suing people (soon-to-be-ex-husband who can't comply with things the court orders and misses deadlines and extensions, bank attorneys who don't respond for weeks at a time, an independent health insurance agent for State Farm who proposed she commit fraud so he could earn his commission while she sits here without health insurance, etc.) for stress, mental anguish, and inability to earn royalties from marketing because she can't focus on marketing. (See, I'm picking up on this stuff in your society. Slowly but surely...)
In good news, she's happy with her job and her bird is thrilled to sit three feet from her desk all day. Luckily, there's a door between her and the bird so she can close it when he squawks at people on the phone (which is frequently). And this is the life of a writer!
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, State Farm, today the dragon wins
Sunday, December 9, 2007
She's Got This Thing About 3:30 A.M.
I'm not sure what's so magical about this hour, but my fantasy author, Sandy Lender, tends to either fall asleep at the computer at this hour when I'm trying to get her to write, or she wakes up at this hour. She woke up at 3:30 this morning with an idea for a new fantasy novel, set on the continent of Onweald, which is significant because that's the place where a majority of the story of the Choices Meant for Gods trilogy takes place.
Sidenote: If you haven't already purchased a copy of CMFG for yourself or a loved one, it would make a fabulous Christmas present for anyone who enjoys the Lord of the Rings/Tolkien stories. I'm going on faith there because I'm not familiar with the books, only the movies. (She says I shouldn't admit such a thing because the books, while not able to convey the hotness of Viggo Mortensen, are better than the movies. I think I get her meaning, but I'm going to pretend that I don't.)
Anyway, the point of this post is to let you all know that this day in a writer's life, the writer woke up at 3:30 to scribble down notes for a new fantasy novel. And then neglected to post her usual items to her blog over at www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com so she just posted something for writers about half an hour ago. I think she's nuts for trying to keep up with daily posts given everything else she has going on in her life, but she's got this contest going where you can win a copy of the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods. The rules/directions are posted over at www.authorisland.com, which is a great site for readers (and writers) who want to get information about new books that are out, the authors who write them, etc.
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com, new books, Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien, Viggo Mortensen
Sidenote: If you haven't already purchased a copy of CMFG for yourself or a loved one, it would make a fabulous Christmas present for anyone who enjoys the Lord of the Rings/Tolkien stories. I'm going on faith there because I'm not familiar with the books, only the movies. (She says I shouldn't admit such a thing because the books, while not able to convey the hotness of Viggo Mortensen, are better than the movies. I think I get her meaning, but I'm going to pretend that I don't.)
Anyway, the point of this post is to let you all know that this day in a writer's life, the writer woke up at 3:30 to scribble down notes for a new fantasy novel. And then neglected to post her usual items to her blog over at www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com so she just posted something for writers about half an hour ago. I think she's nuts for trying to keep up with daily posts given everything else she has going on in her life, but she's got this contest going where you can win a copy of the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods. The rules/directions are posted over at www.authorisland.com, which is a great site for readers (and writers) who want to get information about new books that are out, the authors who write them, etc.
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com, new books, Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien, Viggo Mortensen
Sunday, July 29, 2007
She's Giving Away Cool Stuff
My fantasy author, Sandy Lender, is giving away free stuff. It's all intriguing merchandise, as well, I might add, so I recommend getting in on these easy contests.
The Book Trailer Contest
If you haven't yet read the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods—never fear. This contest is perfect for you. It involves no outlay of cash on your part.
1. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFg0kW_T-3g
2. Watch the trailer for Choices Meant for Gods
3. Rank it with a five-star rating AND leave an uplifting comment for its creator, Jamieson Wolf by Saturday, August 4
Just like that! You'll be entered in a contest to win a dragon-knife necklace that fantasy author Sandy Lender will send to you with some autographed piece of CMFG memorabilia.
Your deadline to enter The Book Trailer contest is this Saturday, August 4, so don't put it off!
The Book Trailer Contest
If you haven't yet read the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods—never fear. This contest is perfect for you. It involves no outlay of cash on your part.
1. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFg0kW_T-3g
2. Watch the trailer for Choices Meant for Gods
3. Rank it with a five-star rating AND leave an uplifting comment for its creator, Jamieson Wolf by Saturday, August 4
Just like that! You'll be entered in a contest to win a dragon-knife necklace that fantasy author Sandy Lender will send to you with some autographed piece of CMFG memorabilia.
Your deadline to enter The Book Trailer contest is this Saturday, August 4, so don't put it off!
The Photo Contest
If you have (or haven't) finished reading the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods (it's a 418-page book—you really get your money's worth), this contest is for you merely because you already own it.
1. Have a friend take a picture of you reading the book
2. E-mail the jpeg to KoraTaiman@yahoo.com with your physical address (so we know where to mail your winnings) by Saturday, August 18
Presto! You'll be entered in a contest to win a package of spa products from Arcana's bathing rooms. (Wait a minute…how come I don't get any of this stuff you're giving away?) Fine. The grand prize for the most creative photo gets the large package of spa goodies. The second-place prize for the person who just gets their name pulled from a hat (and, of course, true to form, it's a Duran Duran cap) is a slew of CMFG memorabilia—signed by the author.
Your deadline to enter The Photo Contest is Saturday, August 18, so get creative and get your picture taken!
The Scavenger Hunt Contest
This is actually not as complex as it sounds. If you've already read the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods, you can answer these three questions easily. If you haven't read the story of Amanda Chariss, go get it at http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Meant-Gods-Sandy-Lender/dp/1595071652/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-8001163-2859664?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185119987&sr=1-1, but the questions can be answered by following the links in the hints offered in the questions.
1. Got to http://choicesmeantforgods.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/scavenger-hunt-contest-with-cmfg/
2. Answer the three questions in an e-mail to KoraTaiman@yahoo.com by Saturday, August 4
3. Be sure to mention The Scavenger Hunt Contest in your subject line
Easy as that…You're entered in the Scavenger Hunt Contest for a chance to win a mini-spa package of lavender goodies from Arcana's bathing rooms. (Do I really have to keep calling them "goodies"? What exactly are "goodies"? There's got to be a more masculine way I can refer to this…)
Your deadline to enter The Scavenger Hunt Contest is Saturday, August 4, so don't delay getting over to Kora's blog at http://choicesmeantforgods.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/scavenger-hunt-contest-with-cmfg/.
The Author Island Contest
How about winning an autographed copy of Choices Meant for Gods itself? The exquisite DeNita Tuttle is running a contest at http://www.authorisland.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=6&Itemid=511.
1. Go to http://www.authorisland.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=6&Itemid=511 and scroll down to the fabulous purple and orange fantasy cover with my bride's reflection shining off her sword
2. Click on the "email me your answers" link with the answers to the administrator's two simple questions by the September 30 deadline
3. DeNita will let you know after September 30 if you've won
Another easy one, don't you think?
So you have four simple opportunities to win good prizes from the Choices Meant for Gods marketing machine known as Sandy Lender. I recommend taking advantage of them all.
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, epic fantasy novel, Sandy Lender, book trailer, contest, dragon, photo contest, Duran Duran, scavenger hunt, author island, sword
Saturday, June 30, 2007
She's Teaming Up With Mother to Give Away a Computer Device
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My fantasy author is giving away a nice little computer device, and she's got Mother in on the act. I'm rather impressed, actually.
If you visit http://choicesmeantforgods.wordpress.com/, you'll see Kora Taiman's blog currently lists a post with instructions on how to enter a contest to win a Sony MicroVault 2 gig USB flash drive that Sandy Lender picked up a week or so ago for the purpose of rewarding new fans of the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods. Beneath this instructional post, Mother has posted a list of ten questions (and they're fairly easy, too) for fans to respond to. To answer them, you need to have either been paying attention to the CMFG Online Book Tour or read the fantasy novel. You can still get a copy at http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Meant-Gods-Sandy-Lender/dp/1595071652/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9221383-5820111?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183135911&sr=8-1. What you do is cut and paste the list of questions into an e-mail, provide your answers, then send the e-mail to Mother at KoraTaiman@yahoo.com prior to midnight, July 20. Then Sandy and Mother will put the entries into a hat (what do you mean mixing bowl?)... Ah, all right... Then Sandy and Mother will put the entries into a bowl from the kitchen and Sandy will draw a winner. She'll announce the winner Saturday, July 21, the last day of the Choices Meant for Gods Online Book Tour.
Now how clever is that? She has a few other surprises planned for the final day of her tour, which, at first, I thought was a little silly because it's the day the final Harry Potter novel is released and, well, no one's going to be paying attention to anything except J.K. Rowling. Am I right? But she's determined to maintain a presence on the internet, whether Harry Potter is selling like hotcakes in the brick-and-mortar stores, as she calls them, or not. Supposedly this is part of her online marketing scheme.
I'm behind her all the way!
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Sandy Lender, fantasy author, Kora Taiman, contest, fantasy novel, online book tour, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling
If you visit http://choicesmeantforgods.wordpress.com/, you'll see Kora Taiman's blog currently lists a post with instructions on how to enter a contest to win a Sony MicroVault 2 gig USB flash drive that Sandy Lender picked up a week or so ago for the purpose of rewarding new fans of the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods. Beneath this instructional post, Mother has posted a list of ten questions (and they're fairly easy, too) for fans to respond to. To answer them, you need to have either been paying attention to the CMFG Online Book Tour or read the fantasy novel. You can still get a copy at http://www.amazon.com/Choices-Meant-Gods-Sandy-Lender/dp/1595071652/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9221383-5820111?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183135911&sr=8-1. What you do is cut and paste the list of questions into an e-mail, provide your answers, then send the e-mail to Mother at KoraTaiman@yahoo.com prior to midnight, July 20. Then Sandy and Mother will put the entries into a hat (what do you mean mixing bowl?)... Ah, all right... Then Sandy and Mother will put the entries into a bowl from the kitchen and Sandy will draw a winner. She'll announce the winner Saturday, July 21, the last day of the Choices Meant for Gods Online Book Tour.
Now how clever is that? She has a few other surprises planned for the final day of her tour, which, at first, I thought was a little silly because it's the day the final Harry Potter novel is released and, well, no one's going to be paying attention to anything except J.K. Rowling. Am I right? But she's determined to maintain a presence on the internet, whether Harry Potter is selling like hotcakes in the brick-and-mortar stores, as she calls them, or not. Supposedly this is part of her online marketing scheme.
I'm behind her all the way!
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Sandy Lender, fantasy author, Kora Taiman, contest, fantasy novel, online book tour, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling
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