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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Special Author Event & Contest with Edie Ramer, Misty Evans & Nancy Haddock!

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from author Nancy Haddock. This isn't an unusual occurrence as we have been emailing each other on a pretty regular basis for a few years now. However this email was different. This email made me jump for joy. Not only was Nancy contributing a short story to an anthology but the best part was all the proceeds for the book is going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

To know that some of my favourite authors have come together to do something so amazing really made me proud. I could only show my support by reviewing Entangled and offering to make a special event for the book to celebrate the release!

Everyone has a story to tell when it comes to breast cancer. My grandmother fought breast cancer and like all women should, I get myself screened and check myself in the shower regularly. It may just be another disease but hopefully one day there will be a cure. Buying Entangled could help bring this cure closer and it is a great read as well!

So I hope you enjoy the following insight to how the anthology Entangled got made. Edie Ramer, Misty Evans and Nancy Haddock all talk about why and how the book came about and what it meant to them to be a part of it.

Also make sure you enter the contest at the end of the event! You could win a copy of Entangled!

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Edie Ramer:

Last April, I emailed Misty and casually mentioned that I’d like to set up a short story anthology and give the money to a charity. I'd like to do a lot of things some day--clean all my closets, visit Europe for a summer and Australia for a winter. But Misty isn't a "some day" type of person. She's a "today" type. She emailed me back and said, "Let's do it." I said okay, and we were off and running.

Misty Evans:

Edie and I are in a couple of groups together and I’ve always been wowed by her mad writing and people skills. When she suggested we put together an anthology with proceeds going to charity, I jumped on the opportunity.

Edie Ramer:

It happened so fast and so smoothly, I'm a bit awed. Misty and I both write paranormal romance, so that was an easy pick. She chose the Halloween theme to unify the stories. I'm a breast cancer survivor, and one of my critique partners has been fighting breast cancer for fifteen years. She's my hero. That was my choice for the charity, and Misty immediately agreed.

Misty Evans:

I lost an aunt to breast cancer, and one of my childhood friends recently went through a double mastectomy. When I worked in health care, I managed a breast and cervical cancer screening program for women without insurance, and saw how desperate the need was for more screenings, education and research. Breast cancer affects so many of us, it’s a cause near and dear to our hearts.

Edie Ramer:

I think that the charity was the reason so many amazing writers signed on for this. Every writer has been wonderful to work with, and each has written a fantastic story. I'm very proud of what we've done.

Misty Evans:

Along with all the great stories that were donated, Stacia Kane contributed the foreword, Laura Morrigan created the cover art, and Lori Devoti provided formatting.

Nancy Haddock:

Edie and Misty are cherished friends, so I would have jumped at any project for any cause they spearheaded. But breast cancer – along with other cancers – runs in my family. I also have sisters-of-the-heart who are triumphing over the disease including a sister-in-law and numerous writer friends. Breast cancer is personal.

So, when Misty invited me to the project, my first thought was, “I’m so there!” My second thought was, “Can I write a short story?” Yikes! I’d not turned my hand to short stories since college, but the anthology was important enough to give it my best shot. As it happens, I’m pleased with my story contribution, and tickled silly to be in company with such amazing authors. My personal thanks to everyone who donated time and talent to the anthology, and my eternal gratitude to all those readers who by it!!

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Edie’s bio:

A multiple award-winning writer, Edie is also a bestselling Kindle author. Tory, Sorcha, and Max from THE FAT CAT were first seen in Edie’s book CATTITUDE. To find out more about Edie and her paranormal romances, visit Edie, like her Facebook page, and follow her on Twitter and Google+.

Misty’s bio:

Misty Evans writes the award-winning Super Agent series, Witches Anonymous series, and now her new Kali Sweet series. She likes her coffee black, her conspiracy stories juicy, and her wicked characters dressed in couture. Learn more about Misty and her books. Like her author page on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Nancy’s bio:

Nancy Haddock is the award-winning and national bestselling author of the “Oldest City Vampire” series. Her short story for the anthology, Entangled, is also set in St. Augustine, FL. To get the scoop on Nancy and her books, visit Nancy, “Like” her author page on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

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The Blurb!

Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from authors Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, plus a Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan.

Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan.

All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Stories include:

HALLOWEEN FROST by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep (author of the Mythos Academy, Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime series) — It's Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.

THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls) — In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.

MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock (author of the Oldest City Vampire trilogy) —What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.

SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.

SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Meyer (author of the Psychic Visions series) — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.

A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden (author of NEVER CRY WOLF and ANGEL OF DARKNESS) — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it's up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she'll either have to prove his innocence...or watch the whole town go up in flames.

SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles (author of the Coffee House series) — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.

A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton (author of A Night of Secrets and To Seduce an Earl) — Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.

FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger (author of the Part of Tomorrow series) — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.

BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener (author of the Tudor-set historical suspense novel In A Treacherous Court) — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other 'special' inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.

GHOSTLY JUSTICE, an all-new Seven Deadly Sins novella by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan (author of the Seven Deadly Sins series) — Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find “Ghostly Justice” for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.

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Entangled is only availabe as an E-book! Otherwise all the proceeds would not go to charity!! So if you don't have an e-reader maybe just try reading this one book on your PC or phone. It is for a good cause and won't hurt you!!!

Buy Entangled on Smashwords

Buy Entangled for the Nook

Buy a copy for your Kindle by clicking the advertisement below :



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Contest Time


Misty, Edie & Nancy are giving away THREE copies of Entangled!

I am giving away an additional THREE copies of Entangled!

That means that there are six copies up for grabs & six lucky winners!


How To Enter


Misty, Edie & Nancy will be around to chat! So share your experiences, ask questions, buy a copy of the book and spread the word about Entangled!


No message or questions! = No Entry


'Please enter me' posts will not be counted as an entry!


Earn more entries for each link you place about this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries! However please do not make individual postings for each entry. Please post all your entries in one post.

Advertise Amberkatze's Book Blog on your site and get an extra entry for this and every other contest!


Amberkatze's Book Blog

Have you 'Liked' Amberkatze's Book Blog on Facebook?


You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.

Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries.

Keep the contests going by using the Bookdepository.com and Amazon.com links/Banners below and around the site!


The Book Depository



The contest will stay open until Sunday 18th of September 2011 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.

45 comments:

Nancy said...

Amber, thank you so much for offering us this opportunity to tout ENTANGLED - and ALSO for offering another 3 copies as prizes! You have gone above and beyond and we appreciate it!

So, come on, Readers! Share your story about breast cancer, ask us questions, or simply comment. Remember, there are 6 copies of ENTANGLED up for grabs if you simply leave a comment!

Light,
Nancy Haddock

Victoria said...

I past my 5 year date in June. At the end of this month I will no longer have to take Tamoxifen - I can't wait for that!

Yesterday I bought my copy. I think it's a fantastic thing you are all doing. You're all such great authors. I can't wait to work it into my reading. Thanks again :).

vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara E. said...

Entangled sounds like a great collection of stories, and for such a wonderful cause. I don't have much experience with breast cancer, except for the wife of my former boss who is a survivor, but since it's a disease that targets mostly women, it is always a potential danger. I was advised to get an ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram this year by my doctor, and made sure to get it done. Luckily, everything was fine, but there's always that fear that it won't be. Thanks for doing this book for such a great cause.

Nancy said...

Congratulations on your 5 year landmark, Victoria! I'm thrilled that you'll be waving bye-bye to Tamoxifen at the end of Sept., and wish you a long, happy, chemo-free rest of your life!

Thanks so much for buying ENTANGLED. I hope you'll enjoy each story as much as we enjoyed writing them!

Light,
Nancy Haddock

JenM said...

Hi Ladies - please DON'T enter me in the contest as I just bought my copy of Entangled. This is a great idea.

We recently found out that our two nieces, age 19 and 16 have a chance that they may carry the BRCA gene. Their mother just found out that she carries the gene, and although she has thankfully not gotten cancer, she chose to suffer through the preventative surgeries (double masectomy and full hysterectomy) just in case. Our nieces may have to make the same choice. I can only hope that some other treatment can be found soon.

Nancy said...

Hi, Barbara! Congratulations on having a clean check up - and for following the suggestion to do the tests. Being proactive and being our own advocates is so critical!

You mentioned that there's is always the fear that check ups won't be clean. So true! I look forward to the day when women no longer have to live with that fear.

Take care thank you so much for stopping by! Good luck in the drawing!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

JenM, thank you so much for buying ENTANGLED! I hope you'll enjoy the reading as much as we all enjoyed the writing!

I'm so sorry to hear that your nieces may carry the BRCA gene, and that their mom has the gene. Blessings to them all - and you, too!

Light,
Nancy

Misty Evans said...

Amber, thank you so much for hosting us and helping our group kick off Entangled. It's for a cause near and dear to my heart!

Victoria - yay, you! That's awesome. Kick that Tamoxifen to the curb!

Barbars - screening and early detection is the best prevention, so good for you getting your mammo and ultrasound. I headed a program for women without insurance many years ago and catching cancer in its earliest stages makes a huge difference. Thank goodness all is well for you, but keep having those screenings. And stay healthy!

JenM - thank you for supporting the cure. A friend of mine recently underwent a double mastectomy as well when doctors found breast cancer. She's had radiation and things are looking good. I, too, hope that some day the surgery won't be necessary for anyone, but it's a good thing we have the testing for the BRCA gene. Good luck to your neices and their mother!

Starr K said...

I think this is awesome. Though it would be nice to win the contest, I know that I have to have a copy of this book so...
Here is the link to my facebook post: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=38306220
I also posted on the great minds think aloud page her: http://www.facebook.com/groups/gmtabookclub/

Misty Evans said...

Starr - Thank you for helping us spread the word! Good luck in the giveaway.

Edie Ramer said...

Amber, thank you for having us on today and for promoting Entangled.

Victoria, congrats on your 5 year date! I remember how happy I was to stop taking end Tamoxifen. Mine was 6 years ago in June, and I'm still cancer free.

Barbara, congrats on your clean tests. I found mine by a mammogram. You have a wise doctor, and you're equally wise to do as he advised.

Edie Ramer said...

Jen, your nieces' mother is so brave to do that. I hope there's a way to stop cancer before your nieces have to make that same choice.

Starr, thanks for posting about Entangled! I'll check out your pages.

JoAnna said...

Thanks for doing this for a great cause.
I just had my first mammogram on the 2nd. I was prepared for the call back for more pictures as it happens to my mom because she has dense tissue in her one breast. What I wasn't expecting was being sat down to be told that they recommended a biopsy of the microcalcifications they found. While the surgeon says he is not worried, I go in for my biopsy tomorrow. So I will know Wed or Thurs whether they are benign.

Thanks again for supporting such a worthy cause.

JoAnna said...

Forgot my email.
beckerjo at verizon dot net

Misty Evans said...

JoAnna - you're in my thoughts. Good luck tomorrow and I'll be rooting for a clean bill of health!

Nancy K said...

Starr, I'm adding my thanks for spreading the word about Entangled. You're the best!

Good luck in the drawing!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy K said...

JoAnna, may you sail through the biopsy itself, and may you get cleanest bill of health possible! I'll have you in my thoughts, too.

Light,
Nancy

Alicia0385 said...

I feel so blessed to know that breast cancer has never touched anyone in my life. My mother had three tumors removed but thank god they were benign. I'm very blessed but I pray for all those amazing women going thru this.

aliciahall0605(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Nancy said...

Alicia, thank you for your prayers - I know your sisters all over the world appreciate it!

And thank you for your support, too.

May breast cancer never touch your life.

May it soon never touch anyone again!

Light,
Nancy

Pamk said...

I just want to say ya'll ladies rock my world. This is such a fantastic thing your doing. Our beloved SIL was diagnosed with breast cancer the year my baby boy was born 1998. This was the same year my daddy was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Unfornately my daddy pass in 2001 but my SIL is still kicking it every day. And I know that is due to the research and trials that so many women have gone through before her. I hope that before this can affect anyone else I know that this disease is beaten forever.

Edie Ramer said...

Joanna, you're in my thoughts. I've been where you are now. I hope the doctor is right and it's nothing. Whatever happens, it's good that you had the mammogram and you're being proactive with your health.

Edie Ramer said...

Alicia, ditto everything Nancy said. (I could go through life saying that "ditto, what Nancy says" and be considered a very wise woman.)

Edie Ramer said...

Pam, so sorry about your dad, but I'm happy your sil is still kicking. The odds are much better now than years ago. And I hope it gets beaten forever some day, too. It will feel great knowing that I was part of the cure. And everyone who buys the book will be helping out, too.

Nancy said...

Pamk, how wonderful that your SIL is doing so well! May she live a long and most happy life!

My condolences on your father's passing. My mother had bladder cancer, too, though she is hanging on.

I so want all forms of cancer to take a hike. That's why I'm so excited about Entangled, and so very grateful to all of you who are supporting the book in any way you can.

Light,
Nancy

LuAnn said...

Breast cancer doesn't run in my family, but I've know several women who have had it ... some survived, others didn't. The scariest form, to me, is the one that doesn't manifest itself with tumors that can be felt through regular monthly exams.

reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

Nancy K said...

LuAnn, you're so right that monthly exams MUST be augmented with mammograms and any other test needed. Diagnosis is so critically important!

Thanks for stopping by with your support, and good luck in the drawing!

Light,
Nancy

Edie Ramer said...

LuAnn, monthly self-exams are important, but some cancers, like mine, are only found through mammograms. It's good to do all of it.

elaing8 said...

I am really looking forward to reading this book.
What a great cause.
At the beginning of October my sister,her daughter and myself will be doing the CIBC(bank) Run for the Cure event here.(its for breast cancer)Although we won't be running,we'll be walking.My nieces 1 yr old son is our mascot and will be joining us.

I have a question for the authors..are your stories in this anthology part of an ongoing series or are they stand alone?


tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/elaing8/status/113371538639695872

Edie Ramer said...

elaing, great question. Misty's is part of a new series she's doing. I love it. Nancy is hoping this story will be part of a series. Another story I love!

Mine has characters from CATTITUDE, my first self-published book. I had requests for sequels, but never planned to write one. But when I thought of writing a story of a witch and a black cat, this just felt right.

There's one more character from CATTITUDE that readers wanted to have his own story. I might do one with him as the hero next time.

wanda f said...

I cant wait to read Entangled .It sounds like a great collection and I think what you are doing is awesome .

flanagan@mebtel.net

Nancy said...

Elaing, congratulations on doing a Run for the Cure! I love it that you have mascots! :)

My story is a stand-alone. As Edie said, I hope it will become a series. I'm working toward that. Even those stories that have series characters were easy for me to follow. And I'm - ahem - behind in my reading some of the authors. So many books, so little time.

Thanks so much for commenting, and good luck in the drawing!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

Wanda, thanks so much for your support of the cause! I hope you'll have tons of fun with ENTANGLED!

Light,
Nancy

Misty Evans said...

Alicia, thank you for your comment and support. Yay for your grandmother! May your family remained untouched!

Hi Pam! Right on - I hope this disease is beaten soon as well. I'm sorry it's affected your family, but your SIL is an inspiration and I hope she continues to beat it.

LuAnn - even though breast cancer doesn't run in your family, be sure to have regular mammograms. Over 85% of women who get breast cancer do NOT have a family history of the disease. It pays to be vigilant. Here's to your continued health!

Go Elaing8! That's fabulous you're walking for the Cure. I've done several walks/runs myself and it's empowering. As far as my story in Entangled, Sweet Demon is the prequel to my new Kali Sweet urban fantasy/paranormal romance series. The first novel will be out later this fall. Several of the other authors also connected their stories in Entangled to other series. Jennifer Estep, Allison Brennan, and Dale Mayer all used characters from existing stories. Happy reading!

Wanda - thank you for stopping by! Hope you enjoy the anthology!

Edie Ramer said...

Wanda, it is a great collection. lol As each story came in, I was wowed! It's an honor to work with such talented and brilliant women.

Thanks for stopping by!

Gail said...

Breast Cancer Research Foundation is a wonderful cause to champion. I too lost my Aunt years ago before they had any real knowledge about this horrible monster, breast cancer. I walked in the Avon walk several years ago. My neighbor and I trained and went on the two day walk. It was life changing.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of ENTANGLED. If I don't win a copy or even if I do I plan on making a purchase and sharing with one of my Gal pals:-)
Thank you.

gsryley(at)gmail(dot)com

Edie Ramer said...

Gail, going on the 2-day Avon walk for breast cancer is awesome. That's a great way to honor your aunt.

Becky said...

Entangled sounds like a great collection of stories. I think it's a fantastic thing you are all doing. I can't remember any of my relatives having breast cancer, but I know some people who does. One of my friends had it and after having one of her breast remove and going through the treatments about a year later it came back but in her lymph nodes and she passed away. I have another friend who has been going through it for at least 10 years now. Just recently , my mom was in the hospital some tests and they found a lump on her one breast. They told her it was cancer, but she didn't have anything done with it because of her age and she had it for at least 12 years.

beckyqward@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Ladies, wow. Thank you for doing this you are amazing! Thankfully I didn't have any personal experience in my family, but due to articles and stories I read I know what a serious issue breast cancer is and I am glad to do anything to spread awareness about it!

Now that I think of it: when I was about 18 and was studying for my hardest exam at the university I just felt quite a big lump (the size of a walnut) at the side of my breast/armpit. Of course I was terrified and it was frightening to see how my mom first laughed it off but when she felt it the colour drained from her face. Thankfully the doctor determined that the lump was caused due to a small shaving inflammation (when I shaved my armpit put too much pressure and somehow the lump appeared a bit elsewhere), but I remember that dread.

I applaud your initiative Ladies, thank you! :-)

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

Nancy said...

Gail, congratulations on training and completing the 2-day Avon walk! What a wonderful honoring!

Sincere thanks for your support! I wish you good luck in the drawing, and we'll be most grateful if you also buy ENTANGLED for a friend.

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

Becky, thank you so much for sharing your personal stories with us! Breast cancer - cancer of all kinds - touches so many lives. Too many. We hope ENTANGLED can make a difference in some of those lives.

Good luck in the drawing!

Light,
Nancy

Edie Ramer said...

Becky, your mother's cancer must be one of the very slow growing ones, so that's good. It's so sad when cancer takes lives. And your friend sounds like is a fighter. Good for her!

Edie Ramer said...

Stella, so glad your lump wasn't serious. That must have been very scary for your 18-year-old self.

Nancy said...

Stella, I hope that incident when you were 18 is the last scare you'll ever have. I know you're wise enough not to leave it to chance, though. To get regular mammograms, so do checks, and generally take good care of yourself!

And, as I've said, we authors hope that the funds raised through the sale of ENTANGLED will make a difference!

Best of luck in the drawing, and thank you for your support!

Light,
Nancy

Aurian said...

Thanks for the post ladies, such a great cause to fight for. I know my grandmother's sister died from breast cancer, and my grandmother herself from another form of it. I lost my favourite boss a few years ago to yet another form, and I heard a former co-worker has it at a young age. So yes, it is all around us and I really don't want to think what it would mean to me, myself.

auriansbooks at gmail dot com

Edie Ramer said...

Aurian, that's so sad. I know 3 women who died from breast cancer, and that's 3 too many.