Brighton – Books – Baby Goats – Brenda Novak Auction :: What do these things have in common?

They are some of my favorite things…and…this Saturday 5/4 at 9pm eastern (6pm pacific) I’ll be hanging out with the Brighton folks on their Facebook page for a BRIGHTON LIVING May Issue Facebook party talking about all of those things and anything else on your mind. I hope you’ll join us. Details on how the Facebook party works are at the very bottom of this post so you can print them out if you like. We’ll be giving away prizes to lucky posters … books, my new Adams Grove scented candle from Shining Sol candles and adorable wedding cake charms from Brighton. YAY!

You don’t have to wait to check out the article though. You can do that now by going to https://www.facebook.com/BrightonCollectibles?fref=ts and clicking on the BRIGHTON LIVING tab just under the banner. Then you’ll see the cover of the issue and the READ STORY button for the article “Heart in the Write Place“. Take a read and leave a comment. And don’t forget to LIKE the Brighton page. I personally think they should have a LOVE button…but that’s just me.

ALSO—don’t forget the Brenda Novak Online Auction for Diabetes is in full swing. There are some amazing donations. I’m the category captain for the READ. RELAX. REPEAT. category, but I also was able to get a pair of tickets and meet and greet passes to see Bret Michaels…that, my friends, we posted under the ONCE IN A LIFETIME category! Sweet! Visit the auction today. It runs through the end of May and their are items in every price range. Even a little adds up to a lot, and together…we’ll make a difference.

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FACEBOOK PARTY GUIDELINES – SAT 6p PT / 9p ET

1) If you don’t have a Facebook account, you need to create one. Go to http://www.facebook.com/ to sign up.

2) Once you’ve signed up (or logged in if you already have an account), go to www.facebook.com/brightoncollectibles at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET on May 4th .

3) ‘Like’ our page if you haven’t already done so. The ‘Like’ button is located under our timeline cover picture, on the right side. Just click it.

4) Look for the post about Brighton Living. You can’t miss it. We will have just put it up, so it will be the most recent post on the page, in the left column, with a photo of our May magazine cover.

5) At the bottom of that entry, underneath the magazine cover photo, you’ll see ‘Like’ ‘Comment’ ‘Share’ – You can click any of these buttons to reach the newsfeeds/tickers of your FB friends.

6) To contribute a comment, write something in the field that appears beneath the post’s magazine cover photo.

7) To update, so you see other people’s comments, just refresh the page. The refresh button is F5 on a PC or just click the circular arrow that’s on the top of your page, on the right side of your address bar.

8) If you see someone’s comment, and want to respond directly to that person, begin your message with @ and the person’s Facebook name.

A Facebook party is just like a live chat. People should feel free to chime in. We’ll be on the page to help if anyone has difficulties.

Thanks for coming to the party! Look forward to ‘seeing’ you.

ADAMS GROVE ~ A Novel Scent Giveaway

JOIN IN THE FUN!!
It’s official – Shining Sol Candle Company has launched the ADAMS GROVE scented candle.

“Adams Grove” - Introducing “Adams Grove”, the first in our line of celebrity endorsed candles. A novel scent named after the small town in the series written by the Virginia native author, Nancy Naigle. Read and relax to the soothing  combination of vanilla and lavender.

To celebrate I’ll be giving away two Adams Grove gift packs that include a Read. Relax. Repeat. water bottle huggy, a special votive sized Adams Grove scented candle, and a sneak peek at the first chapter of Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes which comes out on July 9th.

HOW TO ENTER::

Lots of chances to get in the game… with a Rafflecopter giveaway.

HUGS AND HAPPY READING.

It’s National Scrabble Week 8/11-8/15 – GAME ON!

I grew up in a family that liked to play games. We were always competitive and I still to this day love to play games. Mom and I get together or Yahtzee and Scrabble nights whenever I can make the time and there is no mercy.

So, let’s have some letter-ific fun on National Scrabble Week.
With the tiles shown below — make your best word. And since this should be fun I’m giving you more than 7 tiles. Post your word and add up the points. Let’s see who wins.

Can’t wait to see how creative y’all get!!
Hugs and happy spelling~
Nancy

Suspense…Any Way You Like It

For those of you that helped me raise over $1400 to find a cure for diabetes in the Brenda Novak Annual Online Auction — you’ve heard the phrase, Suspense…Any Way You Like It. I named my category after it this year.

If you take a click over to http://www.RomanceANDSuspense.com you find our landing page. This saying came about when four writer made friends at an RWA conference. We all write very different stories, the one common denomintor — suspense.

Adrienne Giordano writes fantastic contemporary romantic suspense with hot heroes that’ll stick with you (and invade your dreams!) Her Private Protector series has done really well and I dare say that if you read the first one, you’ll order the rest.

Tracey Devlyn's debut novel came out this spring. A Lady's Revenge is categorized as an historical thriller, but let me tell you – don't let historical keep you from picking up this book. This ain't your momma's historical. A Lady's Revenge just happens to be set back then, but this story is dark, adventurous and has romance that'll sizzle you silly. Her next book, Check Mate, My Lord will be out in early 2013 and I can't wait!

Tracy March writes big city thrillers. Her debut novel, Girl Three, snapped up quite a few awards on the path to publication and you'll get to read it for yourself early 2013. Keep her on your watch list. She’s got two other books on the horizon, too.

Then there's me with my small town love stories. Of course, you know that.

So there you have it — Suspense…any way you like it.
You can get to all of our websites from the RomanceandSuspense.com site.
Hugs and happy reading~
Nancy

New Title for Out of Focus? What’s the Scoop?

Hey Friends,
Here’s the scoop. You probably remember that I signed a 4 book deal with Amazon Publishing earlier this year for my Adams Grove series. My editors and I have been re-working/revising the first two books, Sweet Tea and Serets and Out of Focus. I’m really excited about them, and I can’t wait for the new versions to get into readers hands. Since book three is Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes we want to find Out of Focus a new name that fits the story and the series.

With your help, I know we can find the perfect match! So, let’s see what we can come up with.

This story, if you haven’t read the original version, is about a commercial photographer, Kasey Phillips, who thinks her biggest problem is deciding whether to photograph Cody Tuggle’s honky-tonkin’ tour, until an accident on Route 58 claims the life of her husband.

In a desperate race against time as a hurricane threatens the eastern seaboard, they search for her three-year-old son who is missing from the wreckage.

A community and friends rally to help, but someone knows more than they are telling.

Some of the suggestions we’ve received so far are:
“Biscuits and Beaux” or “Biscuits and Bows”
Cornbread and Comfort
F-stops and heart drops
Country Songs and Hurricane Gone
Family Time and Country Line
Photographs and Lies
Mint Juleps and Justice
Country Songs and Hope Belongs
Camera Lens and Dead Ends
Bread Pudding and Promise
Porch Swings and Promises
Honeysuckle and Heartache
Pecan Pie and Alibis

Do any of those float your boat? Or can you do better?
________ AND _________.
Leave a comment with your entry or vote. Whoever comes up with the winning title will get a $25 Amazon gift card.

We brainstormed to help get you going.

Thanks y'all!

Booklovers Unite!

UPDATES TO THE LIST
So much of what we do anymore seems to be online and these in-person events put personality into those later online interactions. My favorite events are those focused on readers AND authors.

For that reason, I’m starting a list of reader/author events across the nation.
Help me build this list — we’ll keep it updated with new entries, and don’t forget to leave a note about your experience at these events so others will know if it’s the right fit for them next time!

2012

JUNE – 6/20-24/2012 ROMFest – Gatlinburg, TN
JUNE – 6/21-24/2012 ROMCon - Denver, CO
AUGUST – 8/12th 1-4pm FREE  Adirondack Reader ~ Reader Author’s Fair - Inlet, NY
OCTOBER – 10/14 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Buns & Roses Romance for Literary Tea Renaissance Hotel in the Dallas suburb of Richardson, TX.
NOVEMBER – 11/3/2012 Southern Magic Romance Readers Luncheon - Birmingham, AL
NOVEMBER – 11/9-11/2012 Readers & ‘ritas -  Allen, TX
NOVEMBER – 11/10/2012 Heart of Louisiana’s Annual Romance Readers Luncheon

2013

JANUARY – 1/17-20/2013 Girlfriend Weekend - Jefferson, TX
APRIL  -  4/27/2013  Barbara Vey Reader Author Luncheon – Milwaukee, WI (*I’ll be at this one!)
MAY – date tbd Heart of Dixie Annual Reader Luncheon – Alabama
MAY – 5/31 – 6/1/2013 Arizona Dreamin’ Romance Reader Event - Chandler, AZ
JUNE – 2013 date not announed yet  Lori Foster Reader Author Get Together - Cincinnati, OH (*I’ll be at this one!)

Thoughout the year – http://www.bookyourlunch.com/ Greenville, SC – a series of author lunches at The Lazy Goat

Southern is more than an accent, Suga’

I spent last week in New York City for Book Expo America. I’ll be posting all the fabulous fun from the event, but before I get to that blog entry I just had to share this experience. I titled it Southern is more than an accent, Suga’ because aside from the fact that everyone I uttered a word to said, “Where are you from?” like it was so cute….but I swear there must be something to the way that a southern gal raises her arm and flips her hand in hopes for a taxi ride that just does not translate into Manhattanese.

I’m no wimp. I promise you that. I’m a strong gal and I’ll tell you like it is, of course, it’ll be in a polite way that momma would be proud of, and no not everything that ends in bless your heart is an insult. A real southern lady rolls that phrase right off her tongue in sincere concern and prayers. Yes, really!

Anyway, back to the taxi situation. I was in New York City for four days and in I racked up a ZERO Sigma – 0% – losing streak to not be surpassed, perfect record in a not-so-good-kind of way in taxi hailin’. I stood with purpose and pushed my arm into the air (pulled in my pinky to not look too delicate) and whoosh those daggone yellow cars sped by me one right after another. I even stepped dangerously into the traffic stream praying for a little help to no avail. I couldn’t tell you if a light on the top means they have someone or not so I waved like a beauty queen on a float and forty glasses of sweet tea—nothing.

Monday night I had a wonderful time at the Amazon Publishing Cocktail Party at the boutique hotel INK48, and then headed off to the Providence where the IPPY Awards were being held. Now, if you’ve never heard of the Providence, honey, you take a moment right this minute and click this link because it is one of the most exquisite places I’ve ever been. http://www.metronomenyc.com/our-venues/providence-nyc  The Providence is an old church. It’s cathedral ceilings and fine wood contrast the sparkling chandeliers. It  is truly breathtaking.

I was being awarded the BEST BOOK MARKETING AWARD in this fairy tale location and let me tell you … I was excited! Hello, Sinatra, Streisand and Stevie Wonder himself sang in this space. Here I was, Nancy Naigle from Virginia receiving an award in this amazing space. It was a fun night, and I met interesting authors and heard great stories all evening. I got to see my book cover on the jumbotron, get my picture taken with an Olympic style (I swear that thing weighs two pounds) GOLD Medal around my neck and mingle with folks that understood the blood, sweat, tears, and prayers that had gone into that journey.

So, there I was at the Providence on 57th Street. I have this blingy gold medal hanging around my neck and it’s late. Okay, well not NY late, but totally Virginia girl late. I step out and for ten minutes I hailed and hailed and did a cab stop? Hail no!  Didn’t even slow down. It was like while my hand was in the air and I held my I’m-not-a-tourist stare steady my hand was saying, “Hey there, wouldn’t one of y’all please stop and take me back to my hotel, because my granny would just die if she knew I was about to walk the streets of NYC by myself in the dark. Helloooo. Please.” Um, yeah. Those cars swept past me in a quick y’all y’all y’all. I’m pretty sure not even one had a second thought about me. I honestly, and I am not exaggerating as I’m known to do at times, but I really truly would have paid $100 for a ride to the hotel. I’d much rather walk alone in the pitch black darkness of my country home road at the risk of a coyote, nickel-sized mosquitoes, or a pissed-off on-her-last-nerve ready-to-spray momma skunk than walk down a NY block alone.

I was staying down at the Marriout Marquis. Well, I don’t really know if it was down or up or mid, but it was at least like 2 big blocks and 12 little blocks away. And who the heck cares if the blocks are little or big? They’re scary when you don’t know the city and people don’t smile at you, or heck even look you in the eye. Where I come from if people don’t look you in the eye it’s because they’re up to no good. So, after trucking through the streets of NY on foot clutching my purse (it now contained my coveted IPPY medal) I walked and walked and walked. I had no idea if I was even really going in the right direction except that I did remember the Marriott Marquis was in Times Square and there were a lot of lights ahead. That had to mean something, right?

I dipped into a well-lit store and asked the clerk if I was anywhere near the Marriott Marquis. He looked at me like I was speaking another language and shrugged. I repeated myself and the other guy finally repeated the words and said keep going, pointing in the direction I’d been heading. Of course, my thoughts turned to evil young boys pranking on a lost girl and I wondered if they were sending me to a seedy section of town or in the wrong direction altogether for their own kicks and giggles.

Three blocks later I saw a sign that I was headed in the right direction. A huge monstrosity of an M&M store. I do love some M&Ms and that store had caught my attention on the ride in from the airport. Oh yes, that was in a taxi, but no hailing was involved just a line that reached at least 2 long or 6 short city blocks and over an hour of my time to get to the front. At least the airport taxi ladies just pointed me to a car. Had I had to hail…I may have never left the airport.

So the next time I go to NY, I’m considering ordering a small banner from VistaPrint that I can unscroll that says “Please stop, Suga’, I really really would appreciate a ride, and I’m an excellent tipper.” Maybe that’ll work. What do you think?

Romance is in the Air~

Hi Friends

While some of y’all are getting your kids set for spring break this week – I’m off for a week of Writer Girl Fun.

This afternoon I’m jumping on a plane and heading for Milwaukee, WI. Tomorrow I’ll be hanging with authors and readers at the Barbara Vey Readers Luncheon in Oak Creek. It’s going to be such a fun day chatting about the books we love and giving away lots of awesome prizes.

Then, a quick drive down to Chicago (last time I was there it was because I was stuck due to my flights being cancelled – this will be way more fun!) for the big Romantic Times Convention. I’ve got a booth down in Club RT so I hope anyone attending will stop by and visit. I’ve got lots of fun planned including buttons – IF I WERE IN A NOVEL I’D BE… (you fill in the blank – I’ve got markers and stickers – should be a hoot! I might need several – let’s see…I’ll be a Size 6 – the crazy aunt – the secret admirer …)

I’ve also got a prize wheel. Just for signing up for newsletter updates from Friends of Crossroads you get to spin the wheel and you could win one of the adorable READ. RELAX. REPEAT. prizes pictured below. Beach bags and lunch bags with room for your favorite novel or eReader and huggies so your water bottle (or diet Coke) doesn’t sweat on your books. Or you could get other prizes like bookmarks, treats or muah-muah something like a stick on moustache.  Fingers crossed for the adorable tote bag or cool bookmarks – although a moustache at one of these parties could be kind of fun, too. I can picture it now – glittery fairy wings and a big fat black moustache hahah.

Hope to see you there — but no worries – if you can’t make it, I’ll be posting fun updates here on my blog, facebook and twitter throughout the week and you know you can count on www.beyondherbook.com for updates from Barbara Vey, too!

Hugs and happy reading~

Nancy

Celebrate International Women’s Day

March 8th is International Women’s Day and according to 123Greetings.com ::

It’s almost always that women have the strongest yet quietest influence on us. Through different roles they so ably perform, as mom, teacher, wife, grandma, friend or sister, they are always there with a smile, support or strength. Reach out to all the special women that you know with our warm ecards on International Women’s Day.

In honor of International Women’s Day my first Adams Grove Novel – Sweet Tea and Secrets - is FREE through Amazon for your Kindle (or the kindle app on your computer!!).   http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Secrets-Adams-Grove-ebook/dp/B005C14XD2/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330868647&sr=1-1 If you’ve already enjoyed the book, leave a review on Amazon today and tell one of your favorite gals about the opportunity - if you haven’t read it, I hope you’ll take advantage of the FREE offer and celebrate women with wonderful examples in this story like:

•  Pearl Clemmons – best known for her award winning chocolate pecan pie and the best darned unsolicited advice in Adams Grove. The unspoken matriarch of the small town.
•  Millie – Pearl’s very best friend and just as fiesty as Pearl.
• Jill Clemmons – Pearl’s granddaughter who has come back to Adams Grove. Kind-hearted and capable of anything.
• Carolanne – Carolanne is a lawyer now working in the big apple. Carolanne and Jill have been best friends since grade school. Distance or time – neither one can break their bond.
• Macy - The gal who was “all that” in high school is back in Adams Grove after her marriage went kapoot. She’s still fearless and making lemonade out of any pile of lemons set in her path.
  You might find another favorite woman among the dynamic gals of Adams Grove.

You can meet even more of them in my novel OUT OF FOCUS (also available in print and digital).

Tell me about the wonderful women you celebrate today.
Hugs and happy reading — and a high 5 wonderful woman!
Nancy

Autographs ~ 2012 Style

With the growth in popularity of e-books we’re seeing lots of new e-Readers and tools make their way for our use. Not all of them are applicable only to e-books either.

(ENTER stage-left) KINDLEGraph.com (Horns blaring: toot-do-do-dooooo!)
http://www.KindleGraph.com is free. It’s original purpose was to enable Kindle users to request and store autographs on their kindle. BUT, did you know that you can set up your KindleGraph.com account to send those autographs to any email address? It’s true. So, it turns out that it’s also a pretty cool way to get autographs for your favorite books from authors you might not get the chance to meet and get an autograph from in person.

Today KindleGraph boasts personalized digital inscriptions for over twelve thousand books from 2800 authors. Now, I’ll admit as I perused the listing of authors I quickly noticed that many of my old favs are not yet using the tool, but it seems to be very popular with the 2010-forward Debut Authors.

Here’s what you get…
a pdf that includes the book cover image ~ the personalized inscription ~ signature.
A sample of one of mine (LOVED this book and the other two in the series!)

Isn’t it cool!
I’ve got mine on my kindle via my kindle email address, but I have friends that have started a collection of autographs to their regular email addresses. They’ve started a scrapbook type page on their computer…then printed the autographs and tucked them in the front of the books. I love it!

Here’s a short list (including me!) of some of the other authors also on KindleGraph – if you haven’t read them…you should!

Nancy Cohen
Marie Force
Melissa Foster
MJ Fredrick
Adrienne Giordano
Grace Greene
Shanon Grey
CJ Lyons
Nancy Naigle
Kristen Painter
Leah St. James
Leslie Tentler
Kari Lee Townsend
If you have a fav KindleGraph author … leave them here in the comments so that we can enjoy them, too!
Hugs and happy reading~
Nancy